School Readiness
But What is School Readiness?
School Readiness is the act of preparing a child for transitions and change, and ensuring their development and education is correct for them as a person. We strive to prepare our children for the future, and how to navigate it as early as possible through calculated activities, learning opportunities and experiences.
School Readiness encompasses many aspects of life - from emotional and social development, physical development and potty training - to even as far developing the beginning of skills in concentration and different subjects based on their developing interests and passions. School readiness is a collaboration of every person in a child's life, sculpted by their individual experiences, understanding and learning.
"I took my little boy to a settle session yesterday at 'big school'. I wanted to tell you how obvious it was that all at Scribbles have clearly been preparing my son and his friends for school. I was so proud of him for sitting lovely - when the register was called, he raised his arm and said 'here!' Thank you and the team for all you have done, and are still doing."
- Parent of a child beginning their school transitions, July 2025.
What is the EYFS?
The Early Years Statutory Framework (EYFS) allows childcare professionals to monitor and track development of children under the age of 5, this is mandatory framework to follow in England under the Department of Education (DoE), and specifies different age groups and their developmental factors.
As part of our teachings at Scribbles, we use the EYFS to personalise the children's experiences, education and learning - and also to track children to monitor their development and their school readiness - allowing us to work with families to ensure children are developing at their own pace, with support and helping their school readiness overall.
For more information regarding the EYFS:
Phonics in Early Years
Phonics are used to help children learn the sounds of each letter, with a visual reminder to help solidify learning.
We introduce all children to phonics by using these sounds to encourage mimicking and the developing of sounds that can later create words. These letters are used at circle time everyday as a fun and interactive way to encourage learning the alphabet, letter sounds, how to spell and even how to write letters at a later stage!
Phonics are a crucial development skill that allow both practitioners and families to work together to encourage both language and literacy growth, which later prepares children for big school when learning to read.
Potty Training
Potty training children has become a large part of being school ready, as part of their physical health and ability - children sometimes need to be encouraged to start this process themselves with rewards such as sticker charts and encouragement.
Many families and children struggle with toileting and consistency - so we have found some links for anyone who feel they made need support or information!
Potty training can be different for SEND children due to understanding, sensory issues, changed in routine and more - please find more information regarding this on our SEND page.
Circle Time
Circle time is implemented across all of our nurseries as a way to encourage development in concentration, understanding of the world, and listening skills in children. We begin this in our younger rooms, but our over 3's take part in this twice a day to prepare them for school in a controlled environment.
This designated time allows children to express their emotions and more. During circle time we discuss the days of the week, what month and year it is, the seasons, the weather and more - we also use this time to introduce the children to registration, phonics, music and big news in both the practitioners and children's lives.
This allows children to become familiar to school routine, express themselves, and to be school ready, with encouragement, nurturing and some fun mixed in!
Graduation
Every child at Scribbles gets the opportunity to graduate before going to 'big school' when they leave our Jelly Beans room. This allows the children to feel celebrated by all of the special people in their lives, and helps the children become school ready! Graduation helps the children to understand nursery has ended, and that they have done an amazing job, this also gives them the opportunity to see their nursery friends, practitioners and have one last big party!