Supporting your child's school journey
2. Reception
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is for children aged three to five years old and is the first stage of their education (Nursery and Reception).
Reception is an exciting milestone, and every child will develop the skills they need at their own pace.
Starting school is not about being able to already read, write or count. Instead, it’s about children feeling safe, confident and ready to learn through play, relationships and new experiences.
Applying for school
Moving up to ‘big school’ is a big step for both children and their families.
For information on when and how to apply, go to our
Helping your child prepare for Reception
Your child’s journey to school starts long before they enter the classroom.
As a parent or carer, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. The everyday things you already do together are the best preparation for school.
You can support your child by:
- talking and listening to them
- playing together and encouraging curiosity
- reading stories and sharing books
- practising simple routines like getting dressed and brushing teeth
- encouraging independence in small, everyday tasks
- supporting them to use the toilet independently, including washing hands and flushing
Starting school usually means children are expected to be able to use the toilet on their own during the school day. If your child is not yet toilet-trained, it’s a good idea to start working on this before they start Reception.
What does being school ready mean
Being “school ready” doesn’t mean your child needs to be able to read, write and count already; it’s about supporting your child to develop the confidence, independence and social skills that will help them settle into school life.
Children are developing these skills all the time through play and everyday experiences.
Things that can help include:
- feeling comfortable being away from parents or carers
- beginning to take turns and share
- being interested in the world around them
- managing simple self-care (such as using the toilet and washing hands)
- trying new things and building resilience
For more ideas (including information about toilet training), go to our
Starting Reception: what to expect
When children start Reception, teachers focus on helping them:
- settle into new routines
- build relationships with adults and other children
- learn through play and exploration
- develop communication and language skills
Schools understand that every child is different and will support them to settle in at their own pace.
Where can I get support
Many organisations, charities and groups in Buckinghamshire provide support and advice on helping to prepare your child for Reception, including:
- Buckinghamshire’s Family Hubs run a variety of parenting programmes to help you meet your child’s needs and reduce anxiety, stress and arguments at home.
- The SEND Local Offer has information about the help available for children with SEND in education.
The Buckinghamshire Family Learning team run a variety of free early years courses for parents and carers of children across Buckinghamshire.
- Early Years Service 'Learning at Home' Together cards. There is a half-termly theme, and then the General Activities relate to an area of the EYFS.
- Wraparound childcare is childcare provided outside of school hours. Some schools have morning and after-school clubs, whilst other people use childminders, family or friends. You can find a childminder near you on our directory.
The Best Start in Life website has information and links to Starting Reception.
- Educational resources for 0 to 5s: websites, apps and resources to help your child's learning at home.
- Words for Life, activities to support language, literacy and communication.
- Starting reception, fun activity ideas for parents/carers, and a reward chart.
- There may be some vaccinations your child should have before starting school. It's important to make sure they are up to date to keep them safe.
- The Children's Bowel and Bladder Charity has advice and support on potty training your child.
- Health for Kids has information about keeping your family fit, healthy and happy.
- NHS resources and information on: speech and language therapy, school nursing, and vaccinations.
- Speech and Language UK has a Child's progress checker to help you understand how your child is progressing with talking and understanding words.
- The Sleep Charity provides information and support to help your child sleep better.
- The Potting Training Guide - Starting Reception
- It's Potty Time! - Health for Under 5s
The Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust Children and Young People's service, which includes the School Readiness Team, can help you and your child get ready to start school.
Their website has help and support on:
- encouraging independence
- positive behaviours
- positive communication
- positive wellbeing
- promoting healthy bladder and bowels
Parents and carers can also download a handy school readiness checklist.
- Twinkl has a range of information and checklists.
- The BBC's Tiny Happy People offers resources on how to prepare your child for starting school, as well as CBeebies - Getting Ready for School-themed episodes.
- Kindred, created collaboratively by a group of leading early years organisations, the ‘Starting Reception’ definition outlines the personal, social, emotional, and physical skills that most children will have developed by the time they start school.