Reception Readiness

May 11, 2026

Discover why reception readiness matters, what it involves, and how Family First Nurseries helps prepare your child for this exciting next step in their education.

Why Reception readiness matters

A report by Kindred Squared revealed a clear gap between what parents/carers believe their children are ready for and what school staff are actually seeing when children start school:

75% of parents believe their child has basic language skills, but only 25% of school staff agree.
73% of parents think their child can eat and drink independently, but just 27% of school staff agree.

We understand how vital these early years are in preparing children for the move to Reception and the new challenges that come with it. That’s why we have invested heavily in training our teams and continually reflect on our practice, making sure we are doing everything we can to give children the very best start. Our focus is on building the skills, confidence and independence children need to feel ready and excited for their move to school.

What are school skills?

School Skills are the foundation of a successful transition to primary school. They encompass far more than academic readiness. Of course, early literacy and numeracy play a role, but equally important are:

Encouraging growing independence with things like toileting, getting dressed, and expressing needs and feelings.
Building the energy and resilience to enjoy a full day of learning, play, and new experiences.
Getting used to new routines and learning to talk about how they feel.
Gently encouraging your child to try new things and feel proud of what they can do.
Building relationships, following routines, and using words to share ideas and needs

We understand that every child develops these skills in their own unique way. We celebrate each child’s progress and partner with their future schools to ensure a smooth and supportive transition.

Introducing our ready for Reception passport

Our “Ready for Reception” passport is an innovative concept developed in-house by our team of Early Years specialists with decades of collective experience. It is a fun, engaging and motivating way for your child to work through the key EYFS curriculum-aligned activities and milestones that support their transition to Reception.

From learning how to carry a lunch tray to building confidence in sharing their needs, we’ll celebrate each step towards becoming Reception-ready, because we believe in recognising the journey, not just the outcome.

Watch the video to see how the new passport works and how it supports your child through fun, practical experiences every day.

Passport categories

Building nurturing relationships

Becoming more independent

Having a sense of belonging

Building confidence and communicating with others

Listening, speaking, and following simple instructions

Building resilience and problem-solving

Developing early literacy and numeracy through play

Why increasing nursery hours helps

Tiredness is one of the biggest challenges children face when starting school. The shift to five full days filled with new people, routines, and environments can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Increasing your child’s nursery attendance in the weeks and months leading up to September helps them build stamina, adjust to longer days, and get used to a structured, busier routine, making that transition to school far smoother.