Hampshire Healthy Families is providing families with an opportunity to receive extra support preparing young children for starting school in September.
A recent survey* has shown that 71% of parents feel anxious about their child starting school. Recent periods of isolation and the impact of the pandemic has meant that young children are struggling more with communication, behaviour, and attitudes to learning.
Hampshire Healthy Families is encouraging parents to join their free ‘School Readiness’ workshops which promote children to be active, excited, enthusiastic and confident to learn. It also enables parents and carers to know what they need to do to make sure their child and family are prepared and well-supported when their child starts school.
Melissa Lewis, Children’s Services Manager from Barnardo’s said:
“We are a friendly team and have had some excellent feedback from families who have previously attended the course. We urge anyone who wants to know more to come along and benefit from our support and expertise working with families.”
Carol Richards, 0–19 School Nursing Area Manager, added:
“Starting school is an exciting time, but it can bring mixed feelings. School readiness is about teaching your child the skills that they will need, at their pace, for them to cope independently and feel happy, safe, and relaxed within the school environment.”
In addition to ‘School Readiness’, Hampshire Healthy Families offers a range of other courses and workshops for families from ‘New Parents’, ‘Baby Talk’, ‘Toddler Talk’, and ‘Family Food Fun and Fitness’.
Hampshire Healthy Families is a service delivered in partnership between children charity Barnardo’s and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.
To contact the Hampshire Healthy Families team and find out more about the School Readiness Workshops and other courses available please email Hampshire Healthy Families [email protected] or to book your free space follow this link: School Readiness : Hampshire Healthy Families
*Survey by (*PACEY) professional association for childcare and early years