Articles on Parents and Carers (126)
School readiness
Starting Reception: your child's journey to school starts at home We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we're all learning from birth. When it's time to start school, some children will need more help than others. There are key skills…School term and holiday dates
The following are the recommended school terms and holiday dates for nursery, primary and secondary schools. Please note that schools have the autonomy to determine their own term dates. The School Admissions Team will continue to consult on and determine recommended dates, as outlined below,…School uniform support
If you are looking for school uniform support, we would first suggest contacting your child’s school to see if they have a uniform bank available. Alternatively, the following charities may be able to support you if you meet their criteria. Please note that if you…School-age Childcare
What is school-age childcare? School‑age childcare refers to the childcare available to primary school age children (ages 4 – 11) out of school hours, including before‑school clubs, after‑school clubs (wraparound childcare), free breakfast clubs, and holiday and HAF provision. It can support families to balance work, training and study commitments while…Schools, education and learning
For information and guidance on topics related to schools, education and learning, please explore the sections below:Screen time guidance for under 5s
Digital screens are a part of modern life, but finding the right balance between screen time and other activities for young children can be tricky. That’s why the Best Start In Life has created evidence‑informed guidance to support parents and carers in shaping healthy screen…Speech and language therapy in the early years
Speech and language therapists run drop-in sessions at children’s centres for parents/carers to find out more about speech and language needs, the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service, and discuss any concerns they have with their child’s speech, language, and communication development. Further support provided…