Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- The starting school lottery -- Characteristics of effective learning -- Playing and exploring -- Active learning -- Creating and thinking critically -- Children who are ready -- Children ready schools -- Settings supporting children -- Engaging parents and carers -- What next? -- Creating lifelong learners -- Appendices -- Glossary.

"This guide to understanding school readiness in young children is essential reading for early years practitioners. It explores the concept of school readiness by unpicking what the term means for children and how we can define it in the context of the characteristics of effective learning. This includes ideas for promoting playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically. The book also considers how we can ensure schools are ready to receive children and suggests ways in which preschools and nurseries can work collaboratively with schools and engage parents and carers to ensure a smooth transition.'."-- Unedited summary from the publisher.