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School Readiness Is in the News Again – But the Good News Is That Small Daily Habits Make a Big Difference

June 26, 2026

If you’ve been reading the news recently, you’ve probably noticed that school readiness has become a major national conversation.

Teachers, charities and the government are all highlighting the same concern: too many children are starting Reception without the everyday skills that help them settle, learn and thrive.

But here’s the encouraging part.

School readiness isn’t about teaching your child to read, write or complete worksheets before they start school.

It’s about helping them become confident, independent and ready to learn.

What the latest reports are saying

Earlier this year, the government-backed Starting Reception campaign was launched to help families understand what children typically need before starting school. The aim is simple: make expectations clearer for parents and help more children enjoy a positive start to Reception.

At the same time, the latest Kindred Squared School Readiness Survey reported that teachers believe around 37% of children started Reception in 2025 not fully school ready, with increasing numbers struggling with independence, communication and emotional regulation.

Teachers reported difficulties including:

  • following simple instructions
  • dressing independently
  • using the toilet confidently
  • communicating needs
  • coping when separated from parents
  • sharing and playing with other children.

These aren’t academic skills.

They’re everyday life skills.

Why this matters

When children arrive feeling confident and independent, they can spend more time learning, making friends and enjoying school.

Children who still need lots of help with basic routines often find the first few weeks much harder. Teachers also spend valuable classroom time supporting personal care rather than teaching the whole class.

That’s why school readiness is becoming such an important national priority.

The UK Government has even set a goal for 75% of children to reach a good level of development by the end of Reception by 2028.

The good news

The encouraging thing is that these skills don’t require expensive resources or formal lessons.

Children learn them through everyday life.

Each time your child:

  • puts on their own coat
  • tidies away toys
  • waits for their turn
  • helps set the table
  • chats with you about their day
  • listens to a story
  • plays imaginatively
  • practises using the toilet independently

they’re building the foundations for school success.

Research continues to show that conversation, play, routines and opportunities to become more independent are some of the best ways to prepare children for Reception.

What we’re doing at Early Edge Learning™

At Early Edge Learning™, we believe school readiness shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

That’s why every week we create simple resources that fit into everyday family life:

  • Word of the Week to build vocabulary
  • Picture of the Week to encourage conversation
  • Do This Before September tips to build Reception-ready skills one small step at a time

Just two minutes a day can make a real difference over time.

Remember, preparing for school isn’t about getting ahead academically.

It’s about helping your child feel happy, confident and ready to learn.

References

  • UK Government – Getting children ready for Reception
  • UK Government – Giving every child the best start in life
  • Kindred Squared School Readiness Survey 2025
  • National Children’s Bureau – A Better Start: School Readiness Report

Uncategorized

Picture of the Week – Week 26

June 25, 2026

Words you may find useful:

beach waves shells sand seagull sea

Grown-Up Guide: Let’s Talk!

What to do

Sit together and look at the picture. Let your child lead — follow what they notice first.

You say it first (Copy + Add)

“I can see the sea.”

“The waves are coming onto the beach.”

“There are shells in the sand.”

👉 Then, depending on the age of your child, add one or more words:

“Gentle blue waves.”

“A smooth shiny shell.”

“A soft sandy beach.”

💬 3 questions to build language

“What can you see?”

“What is the sea doing?”

“What would you like to collect on the beach?”

If no answer

That’s okay — keep modelling:

“It is the sea.”

“The waves are moving.”

“I can see a shell.”

⏱️ 2-minute routine

Look → Name → Add one word → Ask one question

Keep it short, warm, and pressure-free.

Weekly Updates, Word of the Week

Week 26 – Word of the Week – happy

June 26, 2026

Meaning: Happy means feeling good and cheerful.

Example: “You look happy today.”

Say it in real-life moments (mealtimes, bath, getting dressed, play). Point to what’s happening, then use the word in a short sentence. Repeat it often and ask your child to repeat it too.

Words appearing in Word of the Week have been chosen to support the DfE (Department for Education) emphasis on skills and vocabulary required for children from birth to age 5. These skills and goals are set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS), which is designed for early childhood learning.

Picture of the Week, Weekly Updates

Picture of the Week – Week 25

June 28, 2026

Let’s Talk: Recycling Together

Recycling is a wonderful way to help children notice the different materials we use every day and understand how we can care for our world. As you look at the picture together, talk about the colours of the bins, the names of everyday objects, and where each item belongs. There are no right or wrong answers at first—the aim is simply to encourage conversation and curiosity.

Words you may find useful

  • recycle
  • rubbish
  • plastic
  • glass
  • metal
  • food waste
  • sort
  • newspaper
  • cardboard
  • protect
  • environment

Grown-Up Guide: Let’s Talk!

What to do

Look at the picture together. Point to one item at a time and encourage your child to name it. Talk about what it is made from and which recycling bin it belongs in.

You say it first (Copy + Add)

  • “This is a plastic bottle.”
  • “The newspaper goes in the paper bin.”
  • “The glass jar goes in the glass bin.”
  • “We are sorting our recycling.”
  • “Recycling helps to look after our planet.”

👉 Then, depending on the age of your child, add one or more words:

  • “The empty plastic bottle goes into the yellow recycling bin.”
  • “We rinse the jar before we recycle it.”
  • “Different materials go into different bins.”
  • “Recycling means we can use these materials again.”

💬 3 questions

  • Which bin does the bottle go in?
  • Can you find something made of paper?
  • Why do you think recycling is important?

If no answer

You say it first. For example:

“I think this newspaper goes in the paper bin. Can you find another paper item?”

⏱️ 2-minute routine

Collect two or three safe recyclable items from around your home, such as a cereal box, a plastic bottle and a yoghurt pot. Ask your child to sort them into simple groups (paper, plastic or metal) while talking about what each item is made from. This quick game builds vocabulary, observation skills and early understanding of how we can care for the environment together.

Weekly Updates, Word of the Week

Week 25 – Word of the Week – Enough

June 25, 2026

Meaning: Enough means as much as you need.

Example: “Have you had enough to drink?”

Say it in real-life moments (mealtimes, bath, getting dressed, play). Point to what’s happening, then use the word in a short sentence. Repeat it often and ask your child to repeat it too.

Words appearing in Word of the Week have been chosen to support the DfE (Department for Education) emphasis on skills and vocabulary required for children from birth to age 5. These skills and goals are set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS), which is designed for early childhood learning.

Reception-Readiness, Toys, Books and Games

June – Toy of the Month

June 25, 2026

Orchard Toys – Shopping List


If you are looking for a simple game that builds attention, memory, and early learning skills, Shopping List is a lovely choice for preschoolers. Children take turns turning over cards and matching everyday food and household items to their board. It is easy to understand, requires no reading, and feels playful rather than formal.

This kind of game helps children practise listening, waiting, matching, taking turns, and remembering what they are looking for. It also supports vocabulary, because children see and talk about familiar shopping items they may already know from everyday life.

For children getting ready for Reception, this is useful because it builds the kind of focus and turn-taking they need in group activities and simple classroom games.

Where to buy – this game is often available for as little as £2 from some preloved platforms in the United Kingdom.

Amazon affiliate link: Buy New Here!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

One note: there have been recalls affecting some Orchard Toys products in the past, but the recall notices I found were for other products or specific batches, not this Shopping List game.

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