Early years education
The early years, from birth to five years old, are the most important time of development for children. This is when they learn most rapidly and where their early experiences help to form the person they are and will develop into.
Whilst it’s not compulsory, early childhood education has a lasting impact on your child’s development. Enrolling your child in some form of early learning prepares them for future schooling as well as ensuring they receive the crucial foundation skills to support writing and reading, how to communicate, express themselves, make healthy choices, develop independence, share experiences and most importantly, develop relationships and make friends! These skills build the baseline for what is needed to become a nurturing and responsible grown-up..
Funded childcare is available in the early years, dependant on age and family circumstances. Find more information about early years entitlements you may be able to access for your child to support them develop and prepare for school.
Get help and assistance finding a local early years education provider or for further advice contact the Family Information Service.
Getting ready for school
Your child's first day at school is a big moment for you as a parent/carer as well as for your child.
It can be both an exciting and nervous time, but there is lots of support and encouragement you can give your child to get them prepared for any adventure.
There are a number of skills you can teach your child before they start school or nursery, such as getting dressed and washing hands.
It's the simple things that will help your child be confident and ready to start school:
Starting Reception
Starting Reception is a supportive resource designed to help families prepare their children for their first day at school. Recognising that every child develops at their own pace, the site offers practical guidance on building key skills—such as independence, communication, and healthy routines—that schools typically expect children to begin developing before they start Reception. Whether your child is in nursery, pre-school, or at home, the site provides tips and activities to help make the transition to school as smooth and positive as possible. It also includes advice for children with additional needs and links to further support services.
Sorted for School
The council's sorted for school campaign brings lots of relevant information together to help families make the most of the summer holidays and support the move to the classroom when September arrives. It brings together information about education services, school admissions, health advice and lots of family support. The resources enable parents and carers to find information for their youngsters who are starting school for the first time.
Health visiting and early years reviews
All children are offered a two to two and a half year review as part of the Healthy Child Programme. It is a chance to discuss all areas of your child’s development and any concerns you may have and for professionals to provide early intervention to support your child’s needs if necessary. This review is usually completed by your health visiting team. If your child is in an early years setting they will also complete an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Progress Check between two to three years of age.
In Warwickshire, the health visiting teams and early years providers work together to complete their assessments to support your child to be ready for school. By working together, they are able to provide a more complete picture of your child’s development and, if additional support is needed, ensure that this can be actioned at the time of the review. They can also provide ongoing support, help and guidance. To do this, they need your consent and you will be asked to sign a consent form to allow both teams to share information with one another. You will be able to discuss the outcomes of both reviews and any concerns you have and both teams will be able to share this information to ensure that the right support is put in place.
Warwickshire Schools Health and Wellbeing Service
During the summer, prior to your child starting school, your child’s care will be transferred from the Health Visiting Service to Warwickshire Schools Health and Wellbeing Service. If your child has any health issues that impact on them during the school day please contact Warwickshire School Health and Wellbeing Service who will support you and your child during their transition into school.
Support your child’s learning, and yours too, with Family Learning
Family Learning is for parents, carers, and all the important adults in a child’s life. Some sessions include your child, others are just for you – all designed to help you support learning at home through fun, everyday family activities.
Family Learning courses are free, relaxed and a great way to learn together and grow in confidence. The team provide all the resources (and clear up the mess afterwards!).
View the Family Learning brochure (PDF, 431 KB) to see what’s on offer – and if there’s something you’d love to learn that’s not listed, just ask!
The courses are a great way to help your child get ready for school through fun, play-based activities that build key skills in literacy, maths, creativity and physical development and lifelong learning skills. There are courses for multi-lingual families to develop their English skills through family play, too. Whether you're looking to support their learning to help them get ready for school, or boost your family's English, there's something for everyone.
While your child plays and learns, you’ll be learning too – gaining confidence and new skills as a parent and learning from other families. Courses are delivered by qualified teachers. They run throughout the year in Warwickshire Children and Family Centres, community venues, and some schools and early years settings.
You can contact the team by emailing FamilyLearningACL@warwickshire.gov.uk or calling 01926 736392.