Transition to Reception
Covering the Starting Reception Website, Support available to providers, free groups for parents and free resources.
Starting Reception Website FREE Resources
Starting school is an exciting milestone. To help make the transition into Reception as smooth and positive as possible, we encourage you to share the following resources from Starting Reception with parents and carers:
Starting Reception is a free, practical online resource designed to support parents and carers in preparing their child for school. It offers simple activities, helpful advice and clear guidance on the key skills and routines that help children feel confident and ready for their first day.
Starting Reception has also provided guides for Potty Training and Children’s Toothbrushing. Children being able to use the toilet independently and having healthy routines such as brushing their teeth is an important part of getting ready for starting school.
- Potty Training Guide website
- Potty Training Guide (Downloadable PDF)
- Children's Toothbrushing Guide website
- Children's Toothbrushing Guide (Downloadable PDF
Social media campaign
Join us on Facebook - Bolton Early Years 0-5s where we will share lots of top tips from the Starting Reception website - We would love it if you could reshare those on your own social media pages and group. #StartingReception
There will be a different theme each week for 7 weeks covering topics like, physical development, taking care of themselves, and play. Posts will be added daily from the beginning of May.
Best Start Family Hub Offer for Transition
Bolton Family Hubs have a range of sessions that families can access each week that will support them to develop skills for starting school such as Chat Play Read and Family Fun Time that are delivered right through the summer holidays! Check out the programme: https://bit.ly/3IuR9FH
Family Hub Practitioners can support on a range of school activities and events, talking to parents about the Family Hub offer and supporting with school readiness, key messages, and signposting to other services where needed.
If you’re hosting an activity or event at your school and would like us to be part of your event, please contact Familyhubpractitioners@bolton.gov.uk. Examples of the type of activities and events are:
- Transition meetings
- School readiness stay and plays
- School fairs
- Parents evenings
- Coffee mornings
The BIG Night Out: Starting Reception - Don't miss it!
Bolton's second annual transition event for schools and daycare providers (including childminders with children going to Reception in September) will take place on Tuesday 12th May 2026, from 5:30pm - 8:00pm at The Bridge Church. We now have 52% of Bolton's schools booked to attend (53 different schools) and 53% of daycare settings booked to attend (40 different daycare providers including childminders). To make the night a success, it's important that there is a broad range of providers present. If you have not already booked to attend, we encourage to do so.
What in it for you?
The focus will be on:
- Sharing general patterns, issues, and the needs of the families and children in your area.
- Discussing and sharing ideas to plan and continue effective transition activities.
- Establishing and communicating school readiness expectations or pledges to ensure all children are prepared for their transition to school.
- Taking clear actions back to colleagues to implement within your teams and settings.
- Exploring ways schools and settings can stay connected, especially during the early weeks and months, as children settle into school.
Raffle prizes!
A BIG thank you to Katie Hague, Executive Head Teacher of The Orchards Federation, for organising this year's raffle prizes and to the organisations that have very generously donated prizes.
Attendees could win:
- Amazon vouchers (ranging from £50 to £100)
- A FREE course and annual subscription to The Muddy Puddle Teacher
- A full sized Eden Play timber sand tray on wheels
- An Aqualease Rockpool Experience in setting
Book your place
***Max 2 places per setting/school***
The BIG Night Out 'Starting Reception' | 12th May 2026 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Stay, Play and Learn with Recreate-U CIC
Free stay, play, and learn sessions are available for families with children aged 3–4 years to support school readiness.
Start date: Thursday 4 June
Duration: Weekly sessions for 6 weeks
Session length: 1 hour
Delivered by: Qualified teachers
Sessions are fun, interactive, and engaging, offering simple practical strategies for parents to support their child’s confidence and readiness for school.
Booking links:
Harvey Best Start Family Hub
Oxford Grove Best Start Family Hub
Farnworth Best Start Family Hub
***These sessions must be pre-booked***
Compass Partnership Bolton CIC: Starting Primary School and SEND
Whether additional needs have already been identified, there’s a diagnosis in place, or you’re just starting to have some concerns, starting reception can feel additionally worrying for both yourself and your child.
This workshop aims to provide parents and carers with all the facts and information needed to support the journey to primary school.
Ideal for those with a child starting reception in September 2026 or 2027
- Small groups
- Informal
- Free
- Meet other families
Book a place here: Starting School and SEND - Compass Partnership Bolton CIC
MC Grammar's new Steps for School Song
MC Grammar (Educational Rap Songs and Department for Education) has teamed up with Best Start in Life to create Steps to School song. Please share this with your families and encourage them to watch and practice the everyday skills together.
