Get ready for primary school

1. Healthy, Happy and Confident Children

There are many ways to support a child to be healthy, such as making sure they get a balanced diet, sleep and attend their appointments for medical checks and vaccinations. 

When children’s health is good, they are more likely to be happy and confident as they are able to try out new things, make choices and benefit from being with others.

Below are some ideas that will help with good physical and mental health for children.

Pre-schoolers (3-5 years)

  • Encourage your child to try new things outdoors, such as visiting a local park to be active by learning to jump, balance and climb 
  • Join in with local groups at your Family Hub and library to support your child in meeting new people, taking turns and developing social skills
  • Encourage your child to develop their independence by dressing  and feeding themsleves. For example, let your child make their own ‘picnic’, let them spread the butter on the sandwich and choose their own fruit 
  • Encourage your child to use the toilet independently and wash their hands
  • Talk to your child about the emotions they expereince, this can be supported by a variety of storybooks that share real life experiences

Toddlers (18 months - 3 years)

  • Encourage your child to walk, run and jump outdoors 
  • When your child is with you show them how to play and interact with others such as saying please and thank you
  • Support your child to put on their coat and encourage them to put away their toys
  • Praise your child for their positive actions such as trying new foods and feeding themselves
  • Help your child to recognise when they need to go to the toilet and dress them in clothing that enables them to do this themselves 
  • Begin to label your child's emotions when they expereince them, for example frustration, joy and sadness

Babies (birth to 18 months)

  • Give your child opportunities to explore safely through tummy time on the floor, as they get older encourage them to get up and move
  • Encourage your child to play peak a boo with you, copy the sounds they make and create playful interactions together
  • Support your child to help with dressing and undressing themselves 
  • Encourage your child to use a spoon when feeding themselves 
  • Support your child to wash their hands when they are able, to help them understand their toileting routine
  • Express your emotions when reading and playing with your child, for example exaggerating.

Early Years Learning Resources

Starting Reception

There are key skills that schools expect children to be learning before their first day. Practising these will make your child’s journey to Reception as positive as possible. There’s lots you can do at home to build your child’s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school.

The Potty Training Guide 

Potty training is an important milestone in your child’s development. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, but research shows it’s best for your child’s bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies, including reusable nappies, pull-ups and training pants, between 18 and 30 months. It’s really important that children are out of all nappies well in advance of starting Reception year in school. The only exception should be children with a diagnosed medical need, such as a bladder or bowel condition.

Family Hubs

Our Family Hubs are one-stop shops where you can access all the help and support you need to make sure your child is healthy, safe and looked after. From maternity appointments and health visitor contacts to stay-and-play activities and breastfeeding support, you can access face-to-face support in our Family Hubs across Oldham.

Find your local Family Hub - Family Hub Website 

Tiny Happy People

Explore these simple activities and play ideas to develop your child’s communication skills.

Hungry Little Minds

For simple, fun activities for children aged 0–5.

Oldham’s Essential Parent App

This is a free app tailored to local needs, including a range of local content, has been developed called the Essential Parent GM Family Hub.

The app offers expert health and parenting advice anywhere, anytime including: 

  • Over 2000 articles & videos
  • Translates into over 75 languages
  • Health information from pregnancy to teenage years for you and your family
  • Receive the latest local health and parenting advice

Get the app - the app is available from app stores for both Android and iPhone., simply search 'Essential Parent GM Family Hub'.

50 Things To Do Before You're Five

50 Things To Do is about giving all children the best start in life. It is based on the simple idea that quality time as a family away from screens enjoying the indoors and outdoors together. This is a great way to support children’s development. That’s why we’ve put together 50 fun, low or no-cost activities for you to explore and an enjoy at your own pace. Why not download the app where you can capture your memories with photos, print out certificates and find out about local events.

50 Things To Do Before You're Five - website

BBC Early Years resources

The BBC have been busy putting together lots of Early Years resources for learning at home. From counting to literacy skills, it’s never too early for your little ones to start learning.

LuCiD

Free resources on child language development for parents with young children.

P.E. with Greater Sport

It's important for all children, from birth to eighteen, to keep moving to help with their physical development, wellbeing and mental health. Greater Sport have pulled together a number of different resources that are freely available online to help you and your children keep moving.

My First Day at School game

Prepare your child for school by helping them to create their character, pick a school jumper, explore the school and find all the different activities to play.