This week, parents across Portsmouth were asking ‘where did the time go?’ as children received their primary school offers, to begin in September.
When I speak to teachers in Portsmouth, they’re so excited to meet their new students but they often flag a consistent concern: more and more children are arriving at school without the basic skills they need.
The number of children arriving for reception not ‘school ready’ continues to be a challenge in classrooms across the country, putting pressure on teachers and setting children back before they’ve had the chance to get started.
Children arriving in the classroom already able to use the toilet, put on their coat, share, follow simple instructions and ask for help, can make all the difference.
It’s not because parents in Portsmouth aren’t trying, not because teachers aren’t working flat out. It’s because just as the pressure on families went up under the Tories, the support available to families went down.
The early years are the foundations of children’s lives. Fundamental to the opportunities and experiences they’ll have in school and for years to come.
Gaps open up early, so our plan must start early too.
That’s why as your MP I take it so seriously, and why I’m determined to do something about it.
Labour has unveiled new advice for schools, nurseries and childminders, setting out for the first time what the best start looks like from the moment families find out their child’s school place.
The guidance will bring schools, nurseries and childminders closer together, and make sure families feel supported all the way through with home visits, stay and play sessions, the opportunity to visit their new school, or for teachers visits to nurseries.
The Labour government is also doing as much as we can through our Best Start in Life campaign to show how to boost everyday skills like communication, independence and confidence. If you need an example of that, I’d encourage everyone to watch the catchy new song ‘Steps for School’ by MC Grammar.
And with families in Portsmouth facing cost of living pressures, we’re lightening the load by making childcare more accessible and affordable. New research shows that families are saving £8,000 a year on average because we’ve brought costs back to 2005 levels – reversing two decades of rising costs in just two years.
We are rolling out Best Start Family Hubs, bringing together parenting support, health services and early help in one place to build on Labour’s proud legacy – Sure Start.
I want to play my part locally, so I have reached out to Portsmouth City Council to support in any way I can in any plans to bolster children’s development.
Raising a child has never been something families should have to do on their own.
We need a system where local family services, schools and nurseries pull together. Where support starts earlier so parents feel confident from the off.
This isn’t about expecting perfection. What matters is that every child has the chance to arrive at school feeling ready to learn, ready to make friends and ready to thrive.
