![\"Jenni](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_ZCR_BEM_190525school_02.jpg\")
Jenni Downes, principal at Erdington Hall Primary School, talks on the Brummie Mummies Podcast about how to help children be ‘school ready’<\/p>\nListen to Jenni Downes, principal at Erdington Hall Primary School, who offers lots of advice on the Brummie Mummies PodcastJenni Downes, principal at Erdington Hall Primary School, talks on the Brummie Mummies Podcast about how to help children be ‘school ready’<\/p>\n
A recent report has shown that many children are not what it calls \u2018school ready’<\/a> by the time they reach reception age.<\/p>\n The Kindred Squared survey revealed big gaps in communication and focus, with children not being able to listen, respond to instructions, sit still or play with classmates together with issues around toilet training, being able to dress and to eat independently.<\/p>\n The government has pledged to boost the proportion of children<\/a> achieving a ‘good’ level of development from the current 67% to 75% by 2028.<\/p>\n Read more: Could you pass a SATs test set for a 10-year-old? Take our quiz to find out<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Read next: May Bank Holiday and half term things to do around Birmingham<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n We chatted to Jenni Downes, principal at Erdington<\/a> Hall Primary School, about her experiences of kids being school ready, and whether she thinks the government pledge is necessary and achievable and advice for parents on the Brummie Mummies Podcast<\/a>:<\/p>\n “Starting school is a massive step and strong foundations in the first year make for later successes,” said Jenni, who has two children, aged 11 and 12.<\/p>\n “A child’s first teachers are their parents<\/a>.<\/p>\n “You can\u2019t say every child will be at a certain stage for every month of their life, it\u2019s important to be aware that every child is different and their backgrounds and support and experiences are different.<\/p>\n “If their parents feel they have confidence that makes a difference.<\/p>\n “Some children are very confident in getting changed for PE and some aren\u2019t able to do that. It\u2019s about adapting activities to suit them, encouraging the ones who can to become role models.<\/p>\n “We have high expectations but it\u2019s a long journey and we celebrate their successes.”<\/p>\n Whilst every parent wants their child to succeed, asking parents to get their child ‘school ready’ may be seen as added pressure on top of juggling work, siblings, elderly parents and additional activities going on in busy family lives.<\/p>\n “Parents should not feel any extra pressure,” said Jenni.<\/p>\n “Everyone has a different amount of time so make sure the time you spend with your child is quality time.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s not about spending every moment practising reading, it\u2019s about doing things little and often, involving your child in your daily activities – counting the number of items in the washing basket, listening to stories, singing songs, asking questions.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s about helping them to build confidence, not about teaching them to read or write, it’s about encouraging them to be the best they can be.”<\/p>\n Could you pass a SATS test set for a 10 year old? Try our quiz here<\/a>:<\/p>\n To keep updated on education news, follow our Brummie Mummies<\/a> Facebook page and Instagram<\/a> page, <\/strong>sign up to our Brummie Mummies newsletter<\/a> and listen to our podcasts<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n How to get your child school ready<\/p>\n Jenni Downes suggests the following five tips:<\/p>\n\n