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Ready for school

When can my child start school?

Information on starting school in Hounslow

Before completing your child's school application please read the guidance: 

If you do not live in the London Borough of Hounslow, you will need to apply through your own council. 

 

School Admissions Team

Hounslow House
7 Bath Road
Hounslow
Middlesex
TW3 3EB

Telephone: 020 8583 2711

  • If your child has an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), you do not need to submit an online application.  Please contact your local authority Special Education Needs(SEN) team.

•If your child is undergoing a SEN assessment, please continue to submit a school application online.

•If you have any questions about your child’s SEN status, speak with the SENCO at your child’s primary school.

Family Information Service 

Are you looking for childcare and early education support and advice?

Contact us

Telephone: 020 8583 3470

Email: fis@hounslow.gov.uk. 

Website: Visit the Family Information Service website 

Social media: London Borough of Hounslow Children and Families Facebook .

Families can now also book one to one appointments online, attend a face to face session at a local Family Hub, and drop into the monthly group sessions, which take place on the first Wednesday of every month from 10am to 11am.

Hounslow Family Service Directory online booking

Starting school is an exciting time but can seem a big step for both children and parents. We understand that all children develop at their own pace and when it’s time to start school, some children may need more support than others.

There are key skills that schools expect children to learn before their first day of school. Setting some regular time aside to practice these key skills regularly will help prepare your child emotionally for school by developing their confidence and independence.

For more information on key skills visit our Child Development webpage.

If you have any questions about your child’s health or development please contact your local health visiting service. 

What does being school ready mean?

  • Having strong social skills
  • Can cope emotionally with being separated from their parents
  • Are relatively independent in their own personal care
  • Have a curiosity about the world and a desire to learn

Top tips for starting school

  1. Don’t worry if your child is tearful and clingy for the first few days, it’s quite normal. Once you leave, they will most likely be playing quite happily within a few minutes.
  2. If your child seems exhausted at the end of the day, let them have some quiet time or a small nap when they get home.
  3. If they’re hungry, a healthy snack and drink can restore their energy levels after a physically and mentally exhausting day at school.
  4. After school activities can be really beneficial for a child, but make sure they get used to school life before introducing this to them. Keep a few weekends quiet as they might need to recharge, just as we do.
  5. Talk to your child about their feelings about school, make sure you chat one to one about this. Try and keep their enthusiasm up, as the reality of going to school everyday sets in.
What if my child has additional needs?
  • If your child has developmental delays or SEND (suspected or confirmed), speak to their nursery, childminder, or health visitor well before they start reception.
  • Share their needs when you are selecting schools. 
  • Summer born children, or those speaking English as an additional language (EAL) may need more support.
  • Early support makes a big difference – ask your child’s nursery, school, health visitor, local children’s centre or family hub for help.
  • You can work with your child’s early years setting to help your child with self care, managing emotions, social skills and communication in a way that suits their stage of development.
  • ​You might want to share details about: their development, needs, what motivates them, what might trigger difficulties, how they learn best, and what strategies work well.

Getting dressed

For children getting dressed by themselves is a skill that will develop over time.

Being able to get dressed without help from an adult is fantastic for developing your child’s independence.

Getting dressed is a complex skill that involves both large and fine motor movements. Buttons and zippers can be tricky for young children to use because their fingers are still developing. Velcro or buckles make it much easier for them to put on shoes.

For PE, it's best if children wear trainers instead of plimsoles because trainers give better support for their feet. When shoes feel comfy children are more likely to enjoy being active.

  • Practice putting shoes on the correct feet. Draw half a smiley face inside each shoe, this can help children with their left and right.
  • Dressing up is a fun way to support getting dressed skills. Start with scarves and materials and then move to oversized clothes they can pull on and off themselves.
  • Movement skills – You can watch this short video clip on At Home Activities to Practice Getting Dressed.
  • Use a tick list or a sequence strip to support children with dressing.
  • Start them off getting dressed and allow them to finish, e.g. pull their jumper up, pulling their arms out, leave on their head and allow them to finish by pulling the jumper over their head.
  • Draw an outline of their body with chalk. Place clothing items onto the right place of the body so they get used to where things go.

Lots of encouragement and making it fun will help them to be excited and want to keep trying. Be sure to factor in extra time in the morning to avoid rushing to get ready.

Top Tip

It can sometimes feel frustrating or time consuming, and it can seem easier to do it for them, but the more they practise the easier it will be.

Try Pacey's Activity below:

Preparing for mealtimes

Give your child the opportunity to develop their independence around mealtimes so they can get used to it before school.

Top Tip

Try and sit at the table to eat together as often as you can. Mealtimes at school are fun and sociable times. 

Children starting school will need to be able to feed themselves using a knife and fork sitting at a table.  Get them to practice cutting up their food, ask them to carry their own plate and clear it away.

  • Instead of cutting up all your child's food for them, try leaving a bit so they can practice  doing it on their own.
  • Show them how to cut food by using the knife yourself, and encourage them to hold the food steady with their fork.
  • If your child is struggling to use a knife and fork, encourage them to scoop their food with a spoon.

To support your child to eat well, offer new foods in different forms (raw or cooked, sticks or slices, smooth or lumpy). This will help your child to learn to like a range of different food.

It is normal for toddlers to refuse to eat or be fussy eaters, try to give them the right portion size for them. 

Children should only drink plain water or unflavoured milk to keep their teeth healthy. 

Your child should be drinking from a cup without a lid. Make sure they are having about six to eight drinks every day.

Top Tip

Be patient, spills will happen. Give them time to try and do things for themselves.

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 can have a free school lunch.

If you are on benefits your child may be eligible for free school meals throughout school. You will need to apply through your local council. If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme. Food vouchers may also be available through the Household Support Fund. Find out more by contacting your local council.

Helpful links

Going to the toilet

Your child should be wearing cotton pants throughout the day at school. Some children with complex needs may take longer to be dry during the day. Some children will not be dry at night when they go to school. This is normal.

Start toilet training as soon as your child shows signs they are ready. It requires time and patience.

Give your child plenty of encouragement and praise when they are dry. Don’t get cross or let your child see your frustration when they have an accident.

If they have an accident, change them in the bathroom. This helps them learn where they should be going. Encourage them to wipe themselves properly from front to back using toilet paper. Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water. You can use (not food) rewards, for example stickers when toilet training.

If you need help contact your health visitor.

Helpful links

Physical Play

To prepare your child for all types of physical school activities, encourage a variety of outdoor play to practice new skills and movements. Feed your child’s natural curiosity and explore together:

  • At the park
  • Climbing play equipment
  • Skipping
  • Kicking a ball together
  • Playing with other children

Try new games and activities as this is a great way to learn and practice new movements. This also helps children learn to give things a go and keep trying when things are difficult.

Play with your child as this shows you are interested. Delight in their discoveries and encourage creativity.

Every day should be a healthy day. Children should be active for at least 3 hours every day (spread throughout the day). 

Tips for the under 5's include:

  • Agree a family limit to screen time per day
  • Make bedrooms a TV and computer free zone
  • Limit screen time to encourage kids to be active
  • Involve your child in household chores, such as setting the table or taking the bins out
  • Use toys such as balls, skipping ropes or kites to encourage active play

For more ideas and local links on Being Active visit our webpage.

Ideas for staying active

Physical development

Speaking

For a child to be able to communicate what they are feeling and thinking will help them get ready for school. Most children are able to use longer sentences and link them together by the time they enter the school gates. They will still struggle to make harder sounds such as r, w, l, f, th, sh and ch, and make mistakes with tenses. They will usually be able to ask questions and will begin to describe events.

Provide simple choices during the day so that children have the chance to say what they like and why. Encourage your child to have a go at things and ask for help when they need it. Let your child ask for things when you are out shopping. Play games that involve taking turns – make sure you are a good listener too.

Use family dinner time as an opportunity to talk about everyone’s day. Ask your child what they have enjoyed today. Reduce any distractions by turning off the TV and radio.

Having a healthy mouth also helps your child to be able to speak clearly by making the right mouth shapes to make different sounds. Ditch the dummy and remember to brush teeth twice a day. NHS dental care is free for children:

Find your nearest dentist and register with them today

If you want to talk to someone about your child’s development, please contact your local Health Visiting service.

Listening and Engaging

Children develop listening and attention skills by noticing and focussing on everyday sounds around them.

At school, it will help them to join in with activities and interact with their teacher, in small groups and as part of the whole class.

Developing good attention and concentration skills at home will support them to get ready for the classroom.

Top Tip

Give plenty of time for your child to respond before asking a question again.

Playing games that involve encouraging children to remembering information, eg. I Spy, Simon Says or games like musical bumps or chairs help encourage listening.

Read stories more than once so children can pick up the pattern. Choose a story with an easy to follow pattern, e.g. Bear hunt/Owl babies/Hungry Caterpillar/Monkey puzzle.

Sing action songs, where children must follow the instructions e.g. sleeping bunnies or wind the bobbin up. 

Visit your local library to discover new books together. They also run story time and rhyme time sessions.

Tips for talking to your baby and young child from the Literacy Trust.

See Pacey's Happy Talk Guide below:

Visit our communication and talking skills webpage for more information.

Writing Skills

Developing strength in fingers and hands supports children to become more independent to do a range of everyday activities that require fine motor skills. It will also make it easier to hold and control a pencil to start writing and drawing. There are lots of activities that you can do together to help:

  • Use playdough
  • Finger rhymes
  • Provide materials to start practicing drawing and painting
  • Draw with a stick in the mud/water painting on the ground
  • Holding onto ropes and swings at the playground
  • Practicing using scissors
  • Scrunching up paper balls

Children should be able to concentrate on something they find interesting for short periods of time.

Building relationships and communicating

Being with others

Family Hubs and childrens centres are also the best places for parents/carers to go. They focus particularly on parenting support, childhood development, socialising children, support with expressions of needs and feelings that might be challenging, ​​​and perinatal mental health support. Visit the Hounslow Family Service directory for more information. 

See below for details on meeting a speech and language therapist at one of Hounslow's Family Hubs:

 

If you think your child is having trouble with communicating and talking to you, discuss your concerns with a professional such as a health visitor, GP, nursery/school teacher who can provide advice and consider whether they may require a referral to a speech and language therapist or GP.

 

Parent/carers can also self-refer to speech and language therapy. For more information visit the West London NHS Trust Children's Speech and language therapy webpage. 

Speech and Language therapy referral form

The link below is a useful resource of fun ways to play and learn while working on fine motor skills. Most activities are easy prep and use recycled materials or items you might find around the home.

The OT's Guide to Fine Motor Skills - The OT Toolbox

For more information visit West London NHS Trust Children’s occupational therapy webpage.

See below leaflet for a chance to meet an occupational therapist at one of Hounslow's Family Hubs:

CBeebies has different programmes on getting ready for school: Ready for School

Staying Healthy

Make sure your child is fit and healthy to attend school as much as possible. Remember to take them for their preschool vaccinations (age 3 years) at their GP surgery. Please contact your GP if they have not had them.

If your child is unwell and you’re unsure if they should go to nursery or school, there is lots of information on our Parents and carers webpage.

Teach your child how to wipe their nose on their own so they can stay clean and comfortable.

Did you know that under fives can have a free NHS eye test? They don’t need to be able to recognise letters or read to have their eyes checked. It is important to detect eye conditions as early as possible as it can affect their development and education.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Additional Needs

If you feel you and your child would benefit from extra support with starting school, you can speak to your local health visiting or school nursing service. They may offer support with a personalised plan. If your child is under a specialist team or paediatrician, you can speak to them about your child starting school or nursery.

If you think your child may have special educational needs (SEN), contact the SEN co-ordinator, or 'SENCO ' in your child's school or nursery.

If your child is not in a nursery or school please contact your local council.

This BBC article has tips for parents of children with special educational needs.

Resources for families with additional needs:

There are many organisations who can help you with advice and tips to get you and your child ready for school. They’ll make the move easier and help your child get off to a great start.

These include:

Being a confident and happy child

The Five to Thrive approach includes five key activities for parents/carers to do with their children to support attachment. The Five to Thrive messages support the development of secure attachment and emotional resilience.

Do these five key activities every day with your child to help their growing brain develop: 

  1. Respond: Thinking about what your child needs and responding to this. 
  2. Cuddle/Engage: Connecting and engaging. This building block is “cuddle” for babies and children. This becomes “engage” for young people and adults.
  3. Relax: Learning to respond to stress and react in a suitable way. 
  4. Play: Being playful and activating the right side of the brain. 
  5. Talk: Speaking or signing and activating the left side of the brain. 

Confident and happy children will find it easier to settle more quickly when you leave them at school. Visiting new places and meeting new people will help children prepare to feel ready to explore their new school environment.

Reassure your little one that you will be back at the end of the day to collect them from school.

Hungry Little Minds is a resource full of ideas and activities for parents of under 5’s to do with their child to help them learn and discover the world. This will help them get ready for when they start school.

More tips on how to Chat, Play, Read with your child everyday through the different early years stages from National Literacy Trust’s Small Talk project.

Sleep

It's recommended that pre-schoolers aged three to five years get 10 to 13 hours of sleep per day in a 24 hour period. This also includes any daytime naps.

Some pre-schools expect children to take an afternoon nap, but before your child starts school, it’s a good idea to help them get used to staying awake all day. 

Do babies and young children automatically fall into a good sleeping pattern?

  • No. All babies and children need to be supported to develop a good sleep routine and good sleeping habits. It is a process that will take time and can’t be achieved in a few days. This can be a struggle, especially when you are sleep deprived and feel constantly tired yourself.All babies are different and will start sleeping through at different times. There also needs to be a degree of flexibility around sleep routines.

What routines and habits promote good sleep?

  • There are many practical ways to develop and improve your child’s sleeping routine and habits. Tips for pre-schoolers are below.

Sleep and pre-school children aged three to five years

Pre-schoolers typically sleep 10 to 13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night are common. With further development of imagination, pre-schoolers commonly experience night time fears and nightmares. In addition, sleepwalking and sleep terrors peak during pre school years.

Sleep tips for pre-school children

  • Maintain a consistent and enjoyable sleep schedule and bedtime routine. Maintain a regular 'sleep friendly' environment, with the child settling in the same environment that they will later wake up in during the night (i.e. their bedroom). This should be without any screens an hour before bedtime, so no TV, mobile phones, tablets or computers.
  • Set limits that are consistent, communicated and enforced. If parents do not set limits children will invariably choose a later bedtime. You could try giving your child one of two bedtime 'passes' that can be exchanged for a parent response, and if they are not used they can exchange them for a small reward such as a sticker in the morning.

Positive reinforcement: If appropriate behaviour is rewarded it is likely to be repeated. Parents should provide encouragement and positive praise for small achievable steps. Some parents find it helpful to use star charts for pre-school and primary school-aged children. Rewards should never be withdrawn.

Daytime naps advice

  • Daytime naps provide much needed downtime that aids the important physical and mental development that happens in early childhood
  • They help keep babies and young children from becoming overtired, which can affect their moods and make it harder for them to fall asleep at night
  • They also give parents a break during the day and time to tackle household chores or just unwind

Whether a child needs a daytime nap depends on how old they are, how much sleep they get in a full day, and what works best for them. For example, one toddler may sleep 13 hours at night with only some short daytime naps, while another gets 9 hours at night but takes a solid two hour nap each afternoon. If your child is napping 'on the go' (for example in the car) try to ensure that this is balanced by daytime sleep in their own bed at home so that they get good quality daytime sleep over the course of a week.

Example of a good bedtime routine

Every baby and child is different and you can adapt the following bedtime routine to meet your baby’s/child’s needs. Babies may require a shorter bedtime routine and you may wish to offer your baby a 'top-up' feed as part of the routine.

Start the journey to bed an hour before bedtime using signals such as end of a favourite game.

6.00pm: Bath time – bathing and brushing teeth

6.15pm: Change into bedtime clothes

6.30pm: Story time. If they are not interested in stories to begin with you could try gentle songs/nursery rhymes. Story time can be extended as a child gets older.

6.45pm: Settle into bed, cuddle time, and goodnight. Some parents find it helpful to sing the same nursery rhyme/song every night as a signal that it’s time to go to sleep.

Avoid returning to daytime activities (e.g. not returning downstairs after their bath).

Transitional objects (soft toys) are helpful to many young children as part of positive sleep association.

My child is tired, why won’t they sleep?

If a child is happy, comfortable, and tired, a problem with falling asleep is likely to be behavioural (such as bedtime resistance) or environmental (such as noise).

I’ve tried all of the above and my baby is still waking frequently

Some babies take longer than others to respond to a routine and settle into good sleep habits. Look after yourself. Almost all adults find interrupted sleep makes them feel tired and irritable, and relationships can suffer.

For further advice see the useful resources  below: