Primary education information for parents - Preparing for school

Children settle most quickly into school if they have been prepared well beforehand. Starting school is an exciting time for parents, children and teachers. In Wirral, schools welcome new children in a planned way, with visits before term starts, booklets about the school and introduction evenings. You should take advantage of these opportunities to talk with teachers and headteachers and ask questions.

During the first term in school there are also many opportunities for you to talk to teachers about your child’s progress. Most children will have attended an early years setting, including pre-schools and playgroups, before going to “big school”. If your child has not already attended an early years setting, you may want to consider taking up some or all of your child’s free 15 hours a week nursery entitlement during Summer 2024. This will give your child an opportunity to learn and play with other children their own age before starting school in September.

Some schools may stage admissions over the first two weeks of the term to provide a gentle introduction to school, however the school must provide a full-time place from the first day if this is what you want.

Ofsted have produced a report on good practice for school readiness.