The Starting Reception website offers vital advice on teaching children essential skills like dressing themselves and personal hygiene ahead of school entry.

In a bid to support parents preparing their children for primary school, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has unveiled a new digital resource aimed at teaching the foundational skills required for school readiness. The Starting Reception website, developed in collaboration with Kindred Squared, schools, and parents, was launched on Wednesday, coinciding with the announcement of primary school placements.

The initiative comes in response to growing concerns about the readiness of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are increasing reports of four-year-olds entering school unable to perform basic tasks, such as climbing stairs or taking off their coats. According to experts, these “lockdown babies” may be the least prepared for school to date.

The website offers practical guidance for parents on teaching children essential skills, such as using the toilet independently and recognising their own names. Speaking to The Independent, Ms Phillipson stated, “Ensuring every child gets the best start in life begins long before they enter the school gates. That’s why we’re partnering with Kindred to help tens of thousands of children become school ready.”

The gap between parents’ expectations of their children’s school preparedness and the reality of what is required when starting reception has been a cause for concern. A recent survey by Kindred Squared found that while 90% of parents believed their children were ready for school, only one-third of teachers agreed with this assessment. Furthermore, many children were unable to climb stairs or go to the toilet unaided.

In addition to this, some schools, as part of efforts to address public health concerns, are now required to supervise young children while they brush their teeth. This move follows alarming statistics showing a significant portion of five-year-olds in England suffer from tooth decay, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The Starting Reception website outlines four key areas of development for children entering reception: independence, relationship-building, physical development, and establishing healthy routines. Parents are provided with expert advice and resources to integrate these skills into their child’s daily life.

Activities on the site cover a wide range of topics, including self-care (such as going to the toilet and brushing teeth), social skills (like sharing toys), and cognitive skills (such as recognising their names). The platform also encourages physical activity, recommends limiting screen time, and teaches children to use cutlery properly.

Ms Phillipson, reflecting on her own upbringing, highlighted the importance of education in overcoming adversity. She assured parents, “Finding out where your child will start school is a significant moment for families. We want to ensure that every child has the support they need to thrive.”

The Starting Reception website is the first of its kind, marking a significant step forward in defining and promoting school readiness. The collaborative effort includes input from leading organisations in education, parenting, and early childhood development.

Felicity Gillespie, director of Kindred Squared, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our research has highlighted the worrying gap between parental expectations and what is needed for children to succeed in reception. This new website will help ensure that every child is ready to start school and excel from day one.”

The new resource can be accessed at www.startingreception.co.uk, offering invaluable support to parents and carers as they prepare their children for the transition to primary school.