A GLOUCESTERSHIRE education expert has given her tips for parents and guardians, as thousands of children prepare to start school in September.

Senior Lecturer Maria Meredith, Course Lead for BA (Hons) Education and BA (Hons) Education, Inclusion and SEN at the University of Gloucestershire, says one of the most valuable things families can do is help children feel safe, secure and connected as they adjust to a new environment and new relationships.

Maria’s five tips for parents and guardians preparing a child to start school are to focus on reassurance rather than a skills checklist, give your child time to adjust, build a positive relationship with the school, take an interest in their experiences, and make plenty of time for play.

Maria said: “Starting school is an important milestone for the whole family, and it is completely understandable for parents and guardians to approach it with a mixture of excitement, pride and anxiety.

“There can be a temptation to focus on a checklist of things children should be able to do before their first day, but feeling ready for school is about much more than acquiring particular skills, such as being able to read and write.

“It is a process that begins before the first day at school and continues after September. Having worked with young children and families for many years before becoming a lecturer, I have seen how important sensitive relationships can be during periods of change.

“Reassurance, connection and the time and space to become comfortable are integral to helping children and families navigate this transition with confidence and a growing sense of security. This provides them with a strong foundation from which they can explore, communicate, build relationships and learn.”