Childcare providers help school transition
Monday, August 24, 2015
More than seven in ten parents say childcarers have played a 'significant role' in getting their child ready to start school.
According to a survey of more than 2,000 parents by the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), 71 per cent believe their child’s nursery, nanny or childminder has helped prepare them for starting school in September. A fifth (21 per cent) thought they had played a ‘very significant’ role.
The survey was conducted online between 12-13 August 2015.
Despite this, the majority of respondents reported feeling anxious about their child starting reception class. In a week's time more than 600,000 four-year-olds will be starting school.
Almost three-quarters of parents (71 per cent) said they were anxious about their child starting school, with close to half (48 per cent) feeing more anxious than their child.
Parents’ top concerns included their child making friends, settling into a routine or being bullied.
One in ten parents aged 18-24 said they were worried about increased academic pressures on their child.
PACEY is currently running a year-long pilot project to improve children’s transition to school by developing partnerships between childcare providers, families and schools.
The Department for Education funded project, ‘Starting School Together’, focuses on disadvantaged children and those from black and minority ethnic communities (BME). Families are supported with toys, resources, face-to-face meetings and online contact.
It is currently running across four pilot sites in Cambridgeshire and North Yorkshire.
According to PACEY, the project is already demonstrating that strengthening the partnerships between parents, childcare professionals and teachers can really help ensure children make a positive start to school, as well as alleviate the anxiety felt by parents.
Hannah Cockell, a parent from Skipton, North Yorkshire, who is taking part in the project, said, ‘I’ve been so worried about my daughter starting school. These resources have been so helpful for me to prepare myself for the transition and to help her journey. I have found the regular contact with the school, and through other parents really helpful. My daughter has been really excited to use the toys and resources with me – it’s made a real difference in helping us all look forward to the first day of school.’
Liz Bayram, chief executive of PACEY, said, ‘We know that the first day of school can be a real cause of anxiety for many parents. Childcare professionals play a key role in supporting children and their families to prepare for this important transition in life, and it is clear from the research that this vital role is recognised by families.’
She added, ‘With the recent report from the Children’s Society showing that England’s school children are among the unhappiest in the world, PACEY is renewing its call for a focus on emotional well-being in Government education policy. This year children starting school will be tested on their maths and literacy skills at a time when helping children to settle in and make friends should be the priority for teachers.’
