This document provides information to support parents in preparing their child for pre-school. It offers suggestions in key developmental areas like personal and social skills, communication, physical development, problem solving and numeracy, and creative skills. Parents are encouraged to spend time with their child, support independence, read together frequently, sing songs, explore the outdoors, and engage in imaginative play. Contact information is provided for the local children's center for any additional questions or concerns about starting pre-school.

1. If you have any questions or
concerns about your child starting
pre-school do not hesitate to contact
the staff who will be more than happy Supporting your child to be ready for
to talk to you. pre-school
For further information contact:
Going to pre-school is a big mile-stone in a
Dawlish and Teignmouth Children's child’s life and hopefully one that is exciting
Centre 01626 879776 for the whole family.
www.nhs.uk/change4life This booklet has been created by Dawlish
For ideas on being active and eating and Teignmouth Children’s Centres in
well conjunction with the early years settings in
the Dawlish Learning Community.
www.direct.gov.uk/childcare
We hope it provides some helpful information
www.devon.gov.uk/disc about the skills you can practice together
For information about childcare in and the experiences you can create that will
your area and available funding help your child enjoy their time at pre-school.

2. Problem Solving, Physical Development
Personal, Social, Emotional Development Reasoning and
Numeracy. • Have a varied diet and
• Spend time with other children and support them in • Count out loud with your night time routine so that
sharing and taking turns. child saying the names of children have the energy
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup numbers clearly, and look to learn and are not
• Encourage your child to say please and thank you. for numbers in the envi- tired.
• Encourage your child to be independent - go to the ronment. • Allow them to use sim-
toilet unaided and wash their hands, dress/undress • Sing songs or rhymes ple tools, such as a roll-
(including shoes). with numbers in them; 10 ing pin or bucket and
• Allow them to choose toys themselves and discover In The Bed, 5 Little spade, and also to get
more about what they like and dislike. Ducks, 10 Fat Sausages outside and be active on
• Encourage your child to talk about their feelings. etc. a daily basis.
Knowledge and Creative Development
Communication, Language and Literacy Understanding of the
World • Join in imaginative
• Encourage your child to choose books for them- • Talk to your child about games with your child,
selves. Remember children enjoy reading the special times; birthdays, e.g. giving the teddy
same book over and over! family celebrations and bears a party.
• Encourage your child to ‘read’ what is happening in
other key events in their • Dance to songs and
the pictures and talk about what may happen next. lives. make up actions e.g.
• Sing songs and rhymes with your child and encour-
• Encourage them to ex- Wheels on the Bus.
age them to tell you their own stories. plore their local sur-
Talking, understanding others and knowing what to roundings, find out
say are really important skills. They help children what’s in your area.
learn, make friends and enjoy life to the full.