Ready or Not,
Here Comes Reception!
What is School Readiness (really)?
Some say school readiness is about writing your name, counting to ten, or sitting still with saint-like patience.
But at Start-School-Ready, we see it differently.
We see school readiness as a mindset - not a milestone.
School readiness isn’t about knowing it all. It’s about being ready to learn (and maybe ready to laugh when your jumper’s on backwards).
Start-School-Ready isn’t about rushing children into school life before they’re ready.
We’re early years trained, and we believe deeply in the importance of play, exploration, and all the magic of the nursery years.
Our aim is to bridge the gap — not to push children ahead, but to guide parents and educators through the space between Nursery and Reception.
Too often, families are expected to prepare for Reception without ever being shown what it really involves.
We’re here to take the mystery out of it. By sharing what really happens in Reception, we want to give families the confidence and knowledge to create a smoother, calmer transition - one that celebrates early childhood while helping children step forward with strength.
How Can We Help?
Think practical guidance - not tick-sheets and checklists.
Our training, courses and guides keep it simple so you can feel confident and in control - ready to help your child Start-School-Ready.
“We’ve Taught Reception. Let Us Teach You.”
Get inside the classroom mindset - before your child walks through the door.
Created by the teachers and parents who founded Start-School-Ready, we offer honest advice, playful strategies, and real insight into what schools expect - no pressure, no jargon, just practical support with a touch of humour.
Relatable story series for parents and children
Insights from real teachers — not checklists
Practical tips and resources you can use at home
At Start-School-Ready, we’re adding a perspective that often gets left out:
The classroom teacher’s view - the important people who welcome thirty small humans in September and have to actually teach them.
We’ve worked with children who were stamped “school ready” by their parents - and crumbled by lunchtime. We’ve also met kids whose parents had never heard of the term, but walked in resilient, capable, and up for the ride.
Our approach to School Readiness is refreshingly honest, entirely practical, and always child-focused.
So if you’re new to School Readiness, welcome. Start here. Stick with us.
We’ll show you what readiness looks like - not in theory, but in action.
Start Behind, Stay Behind:
Why School Readiness Matters
Kindred2 School Readiness Survey (January 2025)
Kindred2 School Readiness Survey (January 2025)
Kindred2 School Readiness Survey (January 2025)
Why Our Perspective Matters
Because we’re not guessing. We’re not theorising. We’re telling you what we see - daily. We look at School Readiness through two lenses:
1. The teacher’s lens - Seeing what helps children thrive in a busy Reception classroom and allows teachers to focus on maximising your child’s development.
2. The child’s lens - Seeing what matters to them? What are they trying to navigate (and survive) on day one, week five, and term two?
We’re talking about things like:
Coping with noise, rules, and routines
Knowing what to do when you realise school is not the same as home
Understanding your emotions before they explode all over the book corner
Because those are the real make-or-break moments. That’s where we step in. We’re not anti-checklist. We just think there’s more to it than “Can they hold a pencil?”
Our stories, guides and courses are built from real-life observations. Not just theory. Not just ideals. Real moments that either derail a child’s day - or help them fly.
Sign up for real tips, honest support, and a few laugh-and-learn moments along the way.