1. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited CACHE LEVEL 2 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY YEARS EDUCATION AND CARE Unit 8 Support the needs of the child in preparing for school

2. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO8 Understand ‘school readiness’ in relation to the role of the early years practitioner. AC 1.1 Explain the term ‘school readiness’. AC 1.2 Explain how the early years practitioner supports children to prepare for school. AC 1.3 Describe the holistic needs of the child as they prepare for school. Learning Outcomes

3. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Starter activity 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1) Time: 15 mins What do you remember about your first day at nursery, school or college? Consider: Being left when very young Going to secondary school by yourself Starting at a new setting Making friends Was it a positive memory? Were you ready to start at this new environment?

4. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Every child is unique and when they start school they will all have different abilities, skills and experiences. A child does not need to be able to read and write to be able to start school. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1) School readiness

5. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Before a child goes to school they will need certain skills that will help them to be ready. Children will need to be able to cope with being around others, sometimes in a noisy and busy environment. Although there will be adults around, children will need to be able to carry out some basic self-care skills such as going to the toilet. It is also very important that children understand that their parent/carer will come back to pick them up. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1) School readiness

6. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited If a child has attended a nursery setting or playgroup, they will have already developed some of these skills. While at an early years setting, children will have had the opportunity to experience sharing, turn-taking, problem-solving and being around others. If a child starts school without these experiences, then the parent/carer will need to prepare the child for what to expect. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2) School readiness

7. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Pairs activity Time: 15 mins Describe activities in the setting that will help the child to prepare for school. Consider: Being with others Taking turns and sharing Basic self-care skills Problem-solving Understanding that parents/carers will come back for them. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2)

8. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Most settings will help children to be ready for school by introducing them to their new classroom or teacher. Some settings will take the children to their new classroom before they start, and give the children a chance to spend some time there. Sometimes a teacher will come to the setting, so that the child will recognise a familiar face when they start school. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2) School readiness

9. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited The holistic needs of the child will need to be considered as they prepare for school. Being ready for school is not about being clever enough to start, it is about being ready for the transition or change. It is important that the move to school is a fun and positive experience, and this will only happen if the holistic needs of the child have been met. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.3) Holistic needs

10. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited When meeting the holistic needs of the child, the practitioner will need to consider: All areas of development including physical, intellectual, language, emotional and social. All areas of the EYFS including communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.3) Holistic needs

11. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Group activity Time: 15 mins Pick one area of development and one area of the EYFS, and describe how practitioners will work with children in these areas to help them to be ready for school. Consider: Specific skills that will help them in school The individual needs of the children The role of the practitioner in supporting school readiness. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.2, 1.3)

12. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Moving to school is a big step, and adults sometimes make a fuss about it, telling children that they are going to ‘big school’. Some children will be nervous about this transition and may be scared of what is to come. Some children will have older siblings in the school, so it will be a very familiar environment for them. It is important that all adults help children to prepare for this transition, and do not make it a scary prospect. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) School readiness

13. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Classroom discussion activity Time: 15 mins How does your setting prepare children to move to school? Consider: Rising 5s sessions Working with one child who is moving to a school on their own Working with a group of children who will be going to the same school Visits Involving parents/carers How does this help the child to be ready for school? 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

14. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Independent research activity Time: 15 mins Ask your setting for information from the local primary school as to how they settle children into the reception class. Consider: Working with one child who is moving to a school on their own Working with a group of children who will be going to the same school Visits Involving parents/carers How does this help the child to be ready for school? 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

15. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Extension activity Time: 15 mins Create a leaflet that will give parents/carers advice on how to support their child to be ready for school. Consider: Being used to being with others Taking turns and sharing at home Independence with hand washing and other basic self-care skills Encouraging children to problem-solve by themselves Explaining that their parents/carers will come back for them. 1. Understand school readiness in relation to the role of the practitioner (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

16. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited Summary Being ready for school does not mean a child has to be able to read and write. Practitioners will plan a variety of activities in order to prepare children for the transition to school. Every area of a child’s development will need to be considered when planning for school readiness.

17. CACHE Level 2 Intro to Early Years Education © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 1.Describe three skills that will help a child to be ready for school. 2.Explain one activity that will help a child to prepare for school. 3.What is meant by the term ‘holistic needs’? Plenary