School readiness project rated a success

The pilot, called Starting School Together and run by Pacey (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years), involved four schools in North Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire working closely with early years settings in disadvantaged areas to ensure children are school ready.

An independent evaluation, carried out by University College London’s Institute of Education, found that 87 per cent of professionals involved wanted to continue with the project.

In addition, 76 per cent of parents said they would recommend its approach, which included working closely with families and providing them with educational toys to use with their children.

Pacey is now looking to encourage more schools and early years providers to follow the pilot’s principles by working closer together to ensure they are effectively supporting children in making the move to primary school.

A series of events for councils and education and early years providers is to take place next month to encourage take up of the pilot’s work.

Pacey chief excutive Liz Bayram said: “The central goal was to help children make the transition into full-time education by building their confidence and emotional wellbeing, and easing the anxiety felt by their parents and carers. The results of the evaluation show overwhelmingly that this has been achieved.”

Childcare minister Sam Gyimah also urged schools and early years providers to learn from the pilot and ensure they are offering effective transitional support to children.

He said: “The project is a great opportunity to build on the good practice of nurseries, childminders and schools who already work together to ensure children coming into full time education have the best start possible.”

The pilot involved 120 families and worked with children entering reception in September 2015 until the end of their second term at school in March 2016.

It was funded through a £350,000 grant from the Department for Education’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) grant scheme. Last month fears emerged that the DfE is set to scrap the grant scheme.