Preparing for the first day of school can be a daunting prospect for any child, but luckily there are many ways that attending nursery can help. According to a study by the Department for Education, children who attended nursery had better attainment in language, pre-reading and were more socially adjusted than children who did not.
Nursery plays a key role in the early development of a child’s academic, social and physical skills. At Little Angels, our development program is in line with the EYFS (early years foundation stage) standards, with a focus on preparing nursery children for school.
Below, we have covered in more detail some of the key ways that a nursery should prepare your child for school so they are feeling ready for this transition.
- Develop their social and communication skills
One of the top school preparation tips is to encourage children to develop their social and communication skills. For many children, nursery is the first experience of high-level social interaction with individuals who aren’t their family or friends. These early social interactions with other children are imperative for positive social and emotional development.
Playtime can often be a great time for children to learn how to interact with others, communicate feelings and develop their vocabulary. For more information on the benefits of play for learning and development, take a look at one of our recent articles on our blog!
- Encourage curiosity and desire to learn
During a day at Little Angels, children will take part in a variety of activities and classes from french language to music. This can foster their curiosity and desire to learn different things, which will be very important when they enter the classroom.
By having a schedule of activities, classes and playtime every day, it can help children adjust to the routine of a full day at school. Not to mention, it’s likely it will help them have a greater attention span and develop a desire to build on their knowledge.
- Establish their literacy and numeracy skills
As part of the EYFS, children learn the early stages of literacy including how to link sounds and letters, up to beginning to learn to read and write. By providing them with a range of materials, including books and poems, this can ignite an interest in reading and help them learn language and grammar rules.
They will also be provided with a basic understanding of numbers and calculating simple addition and subtraction problems. By making mathematics fun and interactive, children will be more likely to engage and enjoy it when they start school.
- Build their confidence and independence
For many children, nursery will also likely be the first time they have spent time away from their parents. By experiencing this from a young age, it can play a key role in building their confidence when preparing for the first day of school.
By spending time with new people and encountering more of the world around them on regular outings, they will build greater self-esteem. Meanwhile, they will become more independent as they learn to complete basic tasks by themselves.
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At Little Angels, we pride ourselves on the home to home environment we have fostered in each of our settings and the bond we have cultivated with our families. We provide an environment where children can spread their wings and develop into wonderful little individuals.
If you’re interested in finding out more, then do not hesitate to get in touch or book a tour with us, either through video or in-person.