What is school readiness?

• Oxfordshire school readiness and lifelong learning strategic plan (pdf format, 1Mb)

School readiness may mean several things to different people.  At Oxfordshire County Council we have adopted UNICEF’s description of the three elements of school readiness:

• Children’s readiness for school
• Families and communities’ readiness for school
• Settings’ and schools’ readiness for children.

Children have the potential to become school ready when families, early years providers and schools work together to support the development of children’s confidence, resilience and curiosity.

A child who is ready for school will be:

• Curious and confident about learning.
• Resilient and ready to take part.
• Able to take risks, ask questions and find solutions.
• Confidently active and be healthy.
• Independent with self-care skills.
• Comfortable to make friends and take turns.
• Cared for and feel safe and secure.
• Able to vocalise choices.

The Early Years team have developed a comprehensive toolkit of resources to support busy leaders and practitioners in early years settings and schools. The toolkit can be accessed via our dedicated website on an annual subscription basis.

More information and support can be found at:

• Support for parents from baby to preschool
• Family Information Service
• Health visitors
• SEND support
• Early Years Toolkit
• Steps to starting school Pacey
• Big hopes big future Home start
• Community around the setting (pdf format, 722Kb)