New booklet helps families prepare for return to school

A new information booklet to help parents prepare their children for the return to school has been produced.

Wiltshire Council has created a short guide with some tips to help families prepare as early years settings and schools plan to welcome more children from certain year groups from 1 June.

Schools have been open for children of key workers and the most vulnerable children throughout the lockdown however the government has said early years settings, primary school reception, Year 1, 2 and 6 can  return from 1 June. Secondary school years 10 and 12 will have some face to face contact from 15 June.

The booklet has some helpful tips for families including:

• Talk about the positives of going back to school
• Talk about all the things you have done during the lockdown period
• Think about ways for them to connect with their friends before going back
• For younger children explain when this is going to happen i.e. there are so many sleeps before going back
• Encourage open discussion
• Start to encourage the number of times your children wash their hands and practise maintaining social distancing
• Share school information with them to help them prepare for the changes
• Put a routine in place in the run up to going back – get your child to talk to you about what the routine will look like

Cllr Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills said: “Schools are working so hard to ensure children and young people can return safely and we are providing guidance and support where it is needed.

“For all children, and particularly young children, this is going to feel very different going back to school with new structures and routines in place. We know schools will be doing all they can to prepare pupils for these changes. This booklet puts together some helpful advice and answers many questions which we hope families will also find useful.”

You can access the booklet online – www.wiltshire.gov.uk/downloads/22821