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A continuous mentoring approach designed to offer structure and support, while remaining adaptable to the changing needs of your family. Stay on track with guidance that evolves as you do. Monthly mentoring session.

Bio: Michelle Windridge is the National Education Lead for School-Based EYFS, championing and supporting high-quality early years provision nationwide. With over 20 years’ experience in primary and early years education, she brings together classroom expertise, school leadership, and national strategic insight. She writes regularly for TES, Teach Early Years, and Early Years Educator Magazine, and contributes to higher education as an External Examiner for Primary Education Studies and Early Childhood Studies. Her background spans senior school leadership, lecturing in education, and achieving FHEA status for her impact on teaching and learning in higher education. Starting school is a major milestone for any child, and for many families, it brings a mix of excitement, pride, and worry. While some children stride into their new classrooms with confidence, others take longer to feel secure. If your child has started school but does not seem to be settling, you are not alone. Many children need more time, reassurance and support than we expect, and there are positive, practical steps you can take. Understanding When Your Child Has to Start School In England, children must start full-time education by the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday. This is known as reaching “compulsory school age,” which falls on the first 31st of December, 31st of March or 31st of August after they turn five (whichever comes first). Although most children start Reception in the September of the school year they turn five, they do not have to start school until they reach compulsory school age. This means that some families choose to delay starting school or begin part-time.  Schools differ in how they apply this in practice, so this is a conversation to have directly with the school to explore your options, understand their admissions position, and clarify what flexibility might be possible for your child ( startingreception.co.uk , 2025). If You Feel Your Child Wasn’t Ready Most children start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday. But if your child has only just turned four, you may feel they were not ready. The law allows for flexible starts, including: Part-time attendance Starting later in the year Starting the following September, after they turn five If your child is struggling to settle, revisiting these options with the school may be appropriate. You know your child best, and schools can be more flexible than many parents realise. Talk to Your Child’s Teacher: They Want to Hear from You If your child is struggling to settle, one of the most valuable steps you can take is to talk directly to their teacher about what might help them feel a stronger sense of belonging. Teachers want their children to feel safe, included and confident, and you know your child in a way no one else does. As someone who taught Reception for 20 years, I can reassure you: your child’s teacher will welcome this conversation. Sharing insights into what comforts your child, what worries them, and what helps them feel secure gives the teacher practical tools to support them. Working together makes a huge difference to a child’s confidence and wellbeing at school. Create Clear, Manageable Communication with School Every school communicates differently. Some use apps for homework and announcements; others rely on email. Spend some time to: Ensure you can log into the school’s online systems Understand who to contact and how Clarify the best way to raise concerns Know when key activities happen (e.g., forest school, PE days) As children move through school, they are expected to take increasing responsibility for communication, but many will still need support. Striking a balance between prompting your child and nurturing their independence is challenging, but it becomes easier with a reliable communication structure in place. When Anxiety or SEND Needs Affect School Attendance For some children, settling difficulties are rooted in anxiety, sensory challenges or underlying SEND needs. This can impact attendance, sometimes significantly. Reduced or Part-Time Timetables The Department for Education’s Working Together to Improve School Attendance  guidance notes that “Good attendance starts with close and productive relationships with parents and pupils” (DfE, 2024).  It’s important to remember that your child is just at the start of their school journey; education is a marathon, not a sprint. Schools want every child to thrive and are usually happy to work with you to create a plan that meets your child’s individual needs, which may sometimes include a reduced timetable. Speaking directly with the school about what will help your child feel secure and confident is a positive first step and can make a real difference in schooling journey.  Some families find that when schools focus on the child’s needs, not the clock, reduced timetables become an effective scaffold, allowing children to rebuild their confidence gradually and safely. In some cases, families adopt approaches similar to flexi-schooling, combining part-time attendance with supportive learning at home. If your child is finding the full school day too much, talk to the school about a needs-led, carefully monitored timetable rather than one driven solely by deadlines. Working Together Really Matters The most important thing is partnership. Your child’s school should want to work collaboratively with you, and you bring invaluable knowledge as the person who knows your child best. Together you can: Identify barriers Put support in place Adapt the environment Review what’s working Celebrate small steps Children flourish when adults around them communicate openly, share information and keep the child’s wellbeing at the centre of every decision. If Your Child Still Isn’t Settling Some children simply need more time. Others may need adjustments, pastoral support or a gradual approach to attendance. And some may need further assessment for underlying SEND or anxiety-related difficulties. If you remain concerned, don’t wait; reach out to: The class teacher The school's Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Coordinator ( SENCO) The pastoral or wellbeing team Your GP (if you suspect an anxiety disorder or mental health difficulty) Early conversations prevent problems from becoming bigger and help children feel understood before distress builds. Final Thoughts Starting school is a huge transition. Struggling to settle does not mean your child is failing, or that you are. With the right understanding, communication and support, children can grow to feel safe, confident and ready to learn in their new environment. References:  DfE (2024) Working together to improve school attendance Statutory guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools and local authorities . Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf300da44f1c4c23e5bd1b/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_-_August_2024.pdf . Home - Starting Reception  (2025) Starting Reception . Available at: https://startingreception.co.uk . ‌

Bio: With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, I am Twinkl's National Lead for PVI Early Years Settings, Childminders, and Parents. I am deeply passionate about the well-being and development of babies and young children, particularly during their crucial first 1000 days. My career journey is diverse, encompassing roles as a local authority consultant, manager, university lecturer, school trustee, and early years advisor, as well as various positions within nurseries. As a mother of two, I understand the challenges and joys of parenthood firsthand. Additionally, I am a Director of a Community Interest Company , dedicated to empowering children in education. My passion lies in supporting both families and educators to ensure every child has the best possible start in life. For over a decade , Twinkl has been a trusted provider of high-quality, affordable teaching resources to educators worldwide. However, there's more to Twinkl than meets the eye. What Twinkl is k nown f or:  Our dedicated teams of content  creators, production teams, curriculum writers, graphic designers, and illustrators who bring learning to life every day. They continuously create a vast and expanding library of instantly downloadable inclusive educational resources, catering to educators, parents, schools, and homeschoolers. The range covers every stage of a child’s learning journey, from maternity and antenatal care, to a baby’s first year and secondary education.    What Twinkl is l ess k nown f or:  We also foster interactive online communities across all social media platforms, offer a wide range of podcasts ,  ebooks , blogs , live webinars , and online training courses . These initiatives empower educators to build meaningful connections and achieve sustainable professional development and growth. Greetings from Twinkl Parents Our Twinkl Parents team believe  in supporting parents to create enjoyable opportunities for children to learn at home, which are filled with moments of curiosity, fun and connection. Our team is made up of parents, health professionals and experienced educators who know firsthand how to balance busy family life with meaningful learning experiences. What makes Twinkl Parents special: Easy, ready-to-go resources : Activities and plans designed for busy families who want to support age appropriate learning without the pressure. Our resources range from editable Maternity Leave letters and baby shower games, to guidance on supporting a child to adjust to a new sibling, potty training and primary curriculum activities. Weekly newsletters and updates:  Parents can sign up to weekly newsletters for free, receive age and stage appropriate activity ideas for helping your child to learn and develop through play.   A friendly online community : A welcoming space where parents share tips, ideas, ask questions to our professionals and gain support and encouragement. Inspiration year-round:  From seasonally themed campaigns and crafts ideas to our popular social media pages and groups with tips, tricks and hacks to support every family. At Twinkl Parents , we listen to our community, create resources based on your feedback, and celebrate the amazing ways families learn together. We’re not just sharing printables, we’re helping you make learning part of your child’s everyday life at home. Where to find us: Browse resources on our web page at Twinkl Parents Hub  , join one of our Facebook groups Twinkl Midwife   Twinkl Pregnancy, Baby and Toddler Group   Twinkl Parents Group  or come and find our Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube communities for ideas and support. A warm welcome from Twinkl EYFS At Twinkl, our EYFS team has a simple mission: to be ‘ right there with you’  as you nurture those magical first years of learning and navigate Government legislation like the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. Whether you’re an early years educator, teacher or nanny, we’re here to make every aspect of your early years practice intentional, impactful and enjoyable. Our Twinkl EYFS team is a passionate group of early years teachers and professionals, who are experts in understanding how young children learn best, through connection, exploration and fun. What makes Twinkl EYFS special: ●     Play-based learning made simple:  Discover engaging activities and plans designed to build confidence and curiosity within the prime and specific areas of learning and development. ●     Guidance you can trust:  From phonics to fine motor skills, our expertly created content supports every stage of early learning and development. ●     Policy and guidance:  Feel safe in the knowledge that all of our content aligns with current legislation, Ofsted Inspection Frameworks and Apprenticeship level course requirements. Our Business Tools content line supports PVI and childminding providers with everything from accounting spreadsheets and invoicing templates and guidance, to risk assessments and recruitment documents. ●     Supportive online communities:  Join our online spaces where early years professionals share ideas, successes, and encouragement. ●     Seasonal events and campaigns:  Sign up to take part in purposefully planned weeks and months run by our marketing teams, who provide bespoke blogs, newsletters and curated content for, school based EYFS, PVI settings and Childminders. This ensures the content you see and the messages you receive are relevant to your specific role within early years. Where to find us: Explore thousands of early years resources at : Twinkl EYFS Teaching Resources , and connect with us on: Facebook: Twinkl.Childminders   , twinklprivateearlyyears   Twinkl Early Years Practitioners Group Instagram: Twinkl EY in Schools    Twinkl Childminders   Twinkl Private Early Years Tiktok:   Twinkl EY In Schools   Podcast: Twinkl Talks: EYFS Podcast You can also find us on YouTube and Pinterest for even more inspiration. A big hello from Twinkl Home Ed Our Twinkl Home Ed motto is ‘ Together on Your Home Ed Journey ’ because we truly are here to support families at every stage, whatever your Home Education style. While many know Twinkl for its huge range of teaching templates and curriculum resources, Twinkl Home Ed offers so much more. Our team is made up of Home Educating parents and teachers, so we understand what families really need to make learning enjoyable, flexible and inspiring. What makes Twinkl Home Ed special: ●     Planning made easy : Our Home Learning Hub  is perfect for families who want structure without the stress. ●     Free live lessons and events : to spark curiosity and bring learning to life. ●     A vibrant online community : Full of friendly support, shared experiences and connection with other Home Educating families. ●     Fun events : Provided throughout the year including Twinkl Home Ed Bake-Off, Weeks of Wonder, CSI investigations and plenty more. ●     A huge library of videos : with playlists featuring follow-along lessons, online challenges, kid-to-kid content, tips on getting the most out of Twinkl, and showcases of our resources in action. We’re always listening to our members, creating resources based on suggestions, running themed weeks and competitions, and helping families discover all the features their Twinkl membership includes. This genuine care and dedication is what makes our community so special. We’re not just providing resources, we’re walking the Home Education journey with you. Where to find us: Join our   Facebook group  to connect with other families. You’ll also find us on   Instagram ,   Pinterest  and YouTube. Whatever your needs whether as a parent, home educator or setting based educator, Twinkl is here to help make your children’s learning easy, inspiring, and full of joy, with over 1,000,000+ resources and growing,   so come and take another look.

At RECAP, we’re passionate about sharing research that helps families access trusted, evidence-based information. This latest report, Teaching RSHE in the Home: Perspectives, Practices, and Support Needs of a Sample of Home Educators in the UK , explores how home-educating parents approach Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and what support they need to do it confidently. This study was conducted by RECAP’s founder, Lucie Wheeler, as part of her role at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), in collaboration with Education Otherwise , a leading charity supporting home-educating families across the UK. The research sought to understand: How do home educators in the UK understand, approach, and deliver RSHE, and what support do they feel they need? Why this research matters RSHE is a statutory part of the school curriculum, helping young people learn about relationships, health, consent, online safety and wellbeing. But for home-educating families - who are not required to follow the national curriculum - there’s far less guidance available. This study fills an important gap, shining a light on how RSHE is currently being taught in home settings, and where families would value more help and resources. What we found From 33 survey responses  across the UK, an overwhelming 97% of home educators said they deliver RSHE  to their children. Most described doing so informally, through open, everyday conversations rather than structured lessons - a flexible, child-led approach that reflects the ethos of home education itself. Parents viewed RSHE as much more than “sex education.” They described it as covering: Healthy friendships and relationships Consent and boundaries Emotional wellbeing and mental health Physical and sexual health Online safety and digital awareness Identity, diversity, and inclusion While many respondents felt confident in their understanding, 42% said they would welcome more support , particularly around complex or sensitive topics such as gender identity, pornography, and online risks. How families resource their RSHE teaching Home educators are creative and resourceful. They draw on books, YouTube videos, BBC Bitesize, Talk to Frank , and peer recommendations, alongside their own life experience. However, many said they struggle to find inclusive, trauma-informed, and age-appropriate materials  that reflect their values and their children’s needs. Several parents also shared that they’d appreciate guidance on how to start tricky conversations  or training opportunities  to help them navigate sensitive topics with confidence. Key recommendations Based on these insights, the report suggests five ways to better support home-educating families: Provide flexible frameworks , not prescriptive curricula. Curate a trusted directory  of age-appropriate, inclusive, values-aware resources. Offer conversation guides  on sensitive topics like consent, online risks, and pornography. Develop trauma-informed RSHE pathways  for families with lived experience of trauma. Create opportunities for parental training and peer support. In summary This research highlights the commitment, creativity, and care  home-educating parents bring to RSHE and the need for trusted, accessible guidance  to help them continue doing so effectively. By amplifying home educators’ voices, we can ensure that every child - wherever they learn - has access to the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a complex, connected world. 📄 Read the full report:   Teaching RSHE in the Home (Wheeler, 2025) 📧

Discover how to get involved with RECAP's work for parents in Chelmsford, UK. Learn how you can participate and support education initiatives. Get Involved as a Parent At RECAP, parents are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to make research and evidence accessible, practical, and relevant to family life — and that starts with listening to you. By getting involved, you’ll help shape how research is shared, make sure it reflects real family experiences, and connect with a community that values trusted information and shared understanding. 💬 Join the RECAP Parent Panel Our Parent Panel brings together parents and caregivers from a wide range of backgrounds to share insights, experiences, and honest feedback. As a panel member, you can: Take part in short surveys or online discussions about family life and parenting topics Review upcoming RECAP content to ensure it feels relevant and accessible Help shape future projects, resources, and events Be part of a community influencing how research reaches families You don’t need to be an expert — just a parent or caregiver with lived experience and a willingness to share your thoughts. 🎙 Share Your Story We know that behind every piece of research are real people and real stories. If you have personal experiences or reflections connected to topics we cover — from education and wellbeing to relationships and health — we’d love to help you share them. You can contribute by: Taking part in a podcast episode or video feature Writing or co-authoring a short parent perspective piece Joining a panel discussion with researchers or practitioners Your story could help others feel seen, supported, and informed. 🧠 Attend a Webinar or Event We regularly host free and low-cost webinars on topics that matter most to families — from mental health and learning to digital wellbeing and parenting confidence. By taking part, you’ll: Hear directly from researchers and practitioners Gain practical, evidence-based tips for family life Be part of a community of curious, reflective parents 💡 Ready to Get Involved? Whether you’d like to join the Parent Panel, share your story, or simply find out more about how RECAP works with families — we’d love to hear from you. ✨ Let’s chat about how you can take part! Book a free 30-minute call with our team to explore how your experiences can help shape RECAP’s work. 👉 Book your free chat here Or simply complete the form below Together, we can build stronger connections between research and real family life and make sure parents’ voices are at the centre of it all. Contact Like what you see? Get in touch to learn more. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Discover Carla Beard's advisory board role at Recap. Learn about her contributions to the Education Research Center in Chelmsford, UK. Carla Beard Director, Koala Digital Development & Growth Panel Carla is the Director (or as she likes to say, the Head Zookeeper) at Koala Digital, a digital marketing agency based in Colchester. She leads a close-knit team of ten creatives who specialise in website design, SEO and promotional marketing. With over 15 years of experience, Carla works with a diverse mix of clients, from sole traders and local businesses to larger brands like the Daily Express and Deliveroo. Carla is passionate about building strong relationships, creating people-first digital strategies and helping businesses stand out online with practical, results-focused marketing. As a parent to two children aged 3 and 7, Carla understands the overwhelm that can come with trying to find trustworthy parenting advice online. After many late-night Google searches and experiencing the confusion of conflicting information, she was inspired by a conversation with Lucie and her passion for RECAP’s mission. Carla is excited to be part of the advisory board and support a resource that makes parenting advice more accessible and reassuring. In her spare time, she enjoys family adventures, being outdoors, paddleboarding, and photography.

Discover Sarah Sudea's expertise as an advisory board member at our Education Research Center in Chelmsford, UK. Learn more about Sarah Sudea. Sarah Sudea Founder, Finding the Flex Research Panel Sarah Sudea is a former secondary school teacher, mum to three daughters and founder of Finding the Flex: a social enterprise aiming to widen access to flexischooling for UK school children. Finding the Flex was borne from her first hand experience of the benefits of a more flexible approach to education and her frustration that flexischooling is already an available option, life changing for some children, but routinely misunderstood and overlooked by local authorities and school leaders. Finding the Flex now helps local authorities and schools offer flexischooling, so every child can thrive in education. Sarah is keen to support RECAP's endeavours to raise awareness of educational options that are often little known about. She brings her experience as a teacher, parent and family coach, specialising in school attendance difficulties.