School readiness

I’ve just shared this with my childminding families! I think it’s really good to see that it’s not all about academics and more to do with confidence and independence! It’s my curriculum, to make sure the children are happy, confident and independent ready for school, but move at pace that works for each individual xx

@Laura 100%. When I was a reception teacher I’d rather have had a class full of children that could do absolutely none of the maths, phonics etc and instead ones that were meeting more of their prime areas, just as your little ones are. And, honestly, it makes me cringe a little bit when my little boy comes home and talks about what they’ve been learning about with their letters and alphabet etc at nursery… with all the misconceptions or things I know will need undoing at school! 🤣

@Chloe my older boy went to school and wouldn’t even hold a pen, could recognise his name but that was about it! But he was polite, confident, independent and kind! He’s yr 2 now and still has all those qualities plus he can read and write and is amazing at maths! We don’t do any formal learning at my preschool it all through play, counting the bricks as we build a tower etc but if the children are interested of course we will nurture that! Xx

I can’t shake off the feeling that just turned 4 is still too early for formal schooling. It’s such an important age for play and being with parents, I feel like the school system is set up for state/economical reasons, not for what’s best for children.

@Olga it’s a totally valid feeling- most of the world do it differently to us! And I think the school you pick, their values and ethos and the emphasis they put on ‘stage not age’ teaching, play based learning approaches and their curriculum design, matters hugely in terms of how formal learning is for the youngest pupils.

Yes, and the challenge is to actually get into a school we picked! Best ones are really difficult to get into

@Olga Tell me about it! Im apprehensively awaiting offers day 😫

“Spending time away from you, learning they can be looked after by caring adults” HAAAAA nope, still not there with my 6 year old. No real help with it either just many people willing to screw it up further 😑

@Kierrah I think I’ve seen you post about having neurodivergent little one/s, and homeschooling? “School readiness” for ND can be a whole other game entirely, can’t it. I’m sorry to hear that what they have already experienced has now made separation from you difficult 😞 can’t imagine how hard that is on you as well.

Yeah @Chloe, we home educate… partly through lack of choice. Ada doesn’t really fit anywhere in the state system, too “normal” for SEN schools and not “normal” enough for mainstream. 2 years of part time nursery took 2 years to recover from. Tried a gymnastics class and when they tried to stop me being in the gym she couldn’t go and they doubly screwed it up by one of the coaches picking her up to stop her running to me 🤬 that was the only class she did and now she does none. Absolutely refuse to let people try and jam my square peg kids in round holes now.

@Kierrah maxi had been denied and EHCP and think school support is enough cos he copes so well at preschool… who have all known him since he was a bump! His KP and Senco have already said to school that you need to listen to Laura she’s the one that’s pushed so hard to get him in the system so now you respect everything she has to tell you about Maxi!

It’s a system that doesn’t meet need, and honestly, it’s only getting worse. Where I live (Kent) it’s becoming virtually impossible for children with SEN to get access to provision that best meets need. I’ve seen too many children as part of tribunals, mainstream fighting to move high needs children on/specialist schools fighting to deny them a place/parents fighting for places. We have a specialist resource provision at my school, a wonderful unit that’s a great fit for lots of children who are thriving… but unfortunately also a ‘holding pen’ for those the LA can’t really (or won’t) help. Oh god 🤦🏻‍♀️ Absolutely. Hope you’re able to eventually build back up to accessing alternative provisions or becoming part of home ed communities etc. baby steps….