Time to Play:
School Ready
The gentle, practical way to help your child
(and you!) feel confident, calm and excited about starting school!
Starting school is a big step
...for your child and for you.
It can bring up big feelings, big questions, and sometimes big worries.
"Will they cling to me at drop-off?"
"Can they manage the toilet on their own?"
"Will they be the only one not able to write their name?"
Trust me, you’re not alone in wondering. As parents (myself included), we always worry about our children’s happiness. They’ve been our little shadow for four whole years whilst we've loved and nurtured their very bones, and now it’s time for them to start school, it all feels quite daunting and overwhelming.
But, it absolutely doesn’t have to be this way. All children deserve a smooth, happy and confident start to school, and this is exactly why I created Time to Play: School Ready.
Meet Sharon
Hi there, I’m Sharon Graves, a Primary Teacher and Sensory Play Expert helping parents and carers of young children to support their child to get them truly School Ready; emotionally, socially and developmentally. I have a knack for reassuring parents, inspiring confidence in children and turning worry and overwhelm into children happily skipping into Reception in September.
From Primary Teaching to founding Time to Play Sensory, I’ve run creative classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, taught hundred of children, created my own independent Early Years play centre, created high quality sensory play resources and developed a deep understanding of supporting child development along the way. When I’m not running my business, you can find me singing with my musical theatre choir and longing after every dog in the park whilst looking after my two gorgeous (and slightly crazy!) children.
My approach to learning
Unlike the policy-makers in education, I don’t believe that children should simply try to sit still and have a whole heap of unobtainable targets pressured upon them. My approach involves reassurance, connection and playfulness as ways of engaging children and allowing them to learn naturally. I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of young families across Hertfordshire and Essex over the past 20 years of my career and helped them get creative, bond and thrive. I believe that children learn best through play, and I’m here to support YOU harnessing the power of play to get your child School Ready.
Get ready for
Time to Play:
School Ready
The playful solution to all your starting school concerns
Time to Play: School Ready comes packed with suggested games and activities to promote fine motor skills, early Numeracy and Literacy understanding, practical skills for self care at school as well as preparing your little one socially and emotionally for their school adventures ahead. It also comes with invaluable advice for you as a parent and carer navigating this exciting new phase in your parenthood journey.
Imagine your child happily bouncing towards the school gates in September, eager to get going and confident in knowing what to expect. They’ll even feel equipped in how to tackle any challenges they may have. That’s what Time to Play: School Ready can do for you! Don’t miss out on our Early Bird offer on this programme so that you have time to prepare your child fully before they begin school in September.
But wait, there's more! Time to Play: School Ready also includes:
Checklists
Routine charts
Downloadable alphabet and number flashcards and activity books
Outline of a 4 week schedule with daily activities to make sure that you really do practise everything needed for your little one to start school confidently.
We really do make it super simple for you to get playing and learning together right away!
Say goodbye to school wobbles and hello to a happy, confident school starter.
Get Time to Play: School Ready today!
Hear from parents who've used the toolkit
"Loved the calm, positive videos – no judgement, just really useful ideas that made a difference."
"I didn’t realise how much I could help just through play. My daughter is now so excited for school!"
"Sharon's experience shines through. An easy course to follow and Maddison loved the games which gave her confidence."
So, you’re ready to help create a child who feels completely ready for Reception.
Let’s dive into how School Ready will get you there!
When you sign up for the School Ready course, you get instant online access and here’s what you can expect:
Module 1
An introduction to the course and has videos covering what really matters when we talk about school readiness, along with what pressures you can absolutely let go of!
Module 2
Covers social and emotional readiness and practical skills needed for school. We talk children’s resilience, separating well, toileting and self-care, recognising their own name and self advocacy.
Module 3
Where we focus on academic skills – fine motor skills, phonics and early maths.
Module 4
Explores other great resources you can use to get your child the most prepared for their school journey and some final thoughts for you as parents and carers on what to expect in those first few weeks of term.
Module 5
Contains a few short videos made especially for your child…
to welcome them to the programme, reassure them and congratulate them for all their efforts at the end of the course with their very own School Ready certificate.
Our videos provide expert guidance and reassurance from an experienced Primary Teacher and mum of two and are all bite-sized so that you can just watch what you have time for that day.
There are checklists for you as a parent to ensure comprehensive practise of all the key skills before school begins.
You’ll also find routine charts to provide children visual cues to tackle tricky skills and get them used to school routines.
Also included in this course are printable flashcards and workbooks to help familiarise children with numbers and letters, help them to develop their fine motor skills (essential for writing eventually) and have fun at the same time!
Buy now and save!
Earlybird special offer
£10 off, first week only!
Offer ends 8pm Monday 11th August
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
Time to Play: School Ready was made especially for parents/carers of children who are starting school soon. It primarily focuses on preparation for the Reception year, but many of the social and emotional readiness elements apply to children starting in a school Nursery environment too.
All parents and carers who want to help their child make the most confident start to school will benefit.
What's in the course?
This is a complete toolkit for starting school. Time to Play: School Ready covers:
What children really need to start school (and what is not essential)
Social and emotional school readiness
Resilience, separating well and confidence
Practical skills like toileting and self care
Academic and developmental skills: Phonics, Early Maths, and Fine Motor Skills
Useful resources and extra support
What to expect in the first few weeks of term
How will it help my child feel ready for school?
This course is packed with practical suggestions and playful ideas for you to do together with your child before they begin school. Some are aimed at skill building and others are more about helping your little one know what to expect, therefore increasing their confidence and reducing anxiety when term begins.
Do I need any special resources for the suggested activities?
No! This course has been designed to work best with simple items around your house like post it notes, cushions etc and the downloadable items included in your member's area. You will receive access to this after you sign up to Time to Play: School Ready. These will included checklists, game/activity instructions, flashcards, an alphabet and maths workbook, and a certificate for your child.
There are suggested other resources which you could use to complement your child's learning, but are absolutely not essential. You can also choose to upgrade to our premium version of the course which includes physical products sent to you in the post from Time to Play Sensory for the ultimate School Ready experience!
Is it all academic stuff only?
Absolutely not! We believe that all the social and emotional aspects of starting school are just as important as the skills your child has regarding mark making, counting and the like.
Confidence is key for your child when starting school which is why we have plenty of suggested activities and games for things like carrying their lunch tray, wiping their bottom and recognising their name too! The course is also designed to support you as the parent or carer too. It's a big change for BOTH of you!
How is the course taught?
The course is broken into 5 modules and is primarily taught via short pre-recorded videos presented by Sharon Graves, Founder of Time To Play Sensory and an ex-Primary Teacher. The first 4 modules are for parents and carers, and module 5 includes a few short videos for your child to watch with you.
There is also a plethora of bonus resources included in the course such as a suggested 4 week programme of school readiness activities for you to do together, checklists, digital/printable flashcards and alphabet and numbers 1-10 workbooks. Virtually everything is encouraged through play, the best way that children learn!
The course is self-paced and designed for you to watch and then do the activities with your child over the summer holidays. You'll build up a vast resource bank of fun, educational and bonding experiences for you and your child whilst truly getting them School Ready!
What experience does the instructor have?
The instructor for this course is Sharon Graves, Founder of Time to Play Sensory. Sharon is a former Primary Teacher and Early Years/Sensory Play expert with over 20 years' experience working with thousands of young children and their families across Hertfordshire and Essex. She is also a mum of two children, one of whom is neurodivergent.
Sharon has spent the last decade running a successful Baby, Toddler and Pre-schooler class franchise with music, movement and sensory play at its heart. She also founded her own Early Years venue, The Happy Toadstool, with a sensory room and sensory toy shop on site, where she ran playgroups, support groups for parents and community events. She brings a deep understanding of child development, the school system (both as a teacher and a mum) and most importantly, learning through play.
How long will it take to complete?
Ideally 4-5 weeks. The videos in this course are all quite short so can be dipped in and out of easily and your progress is stored so you know where to start again. The summer holidays before a September start are perfect for this.
We provide a suggested four week programme of activities to hit all the key skills that children need to be ready for school and also to help them get used to their uniform, walk to school etc. However, you can tackle the tasks over a shorter or longer period of time if you want to. Ideally we want to build up children's confidence over time however so don't leave it all to the last minute!
What do I get with the premium version of School Ready?
If you'd like to upgrade your course to School Ready Premium then you will receive all of the materials in the standard course plus the following additional resources sent to you by post:
Time to Play Sensory's Starting School sensory mix for lots of fine motor fun!
A personalised laminated name card in dots plus dry wipe pen for practising writing their name and tracing through with their finger with one of the sensory mixes over
Laminated number flashcards 1 - 10
Laminated alphabet flashcards A - Z
A personalised laminated School Ready certificate for completing the course
A cute and reassuring heart resin "pocket hug". This can go in your child's pocket at school and they can touch it at any time to know that you are still thinking of them and are proud.
School Ready Premium package
Additional resources included in Premium
Upgrade to Premium
for the
ultimate
School Ready experience!
Everything in Time to Play: School Ready standard PLUS:
Time to Play Sensory's Starting School sensory mix for lots of fine motor fun!
A personalised laminated name card in dots plus dry wipe pen for practising writing their name and tracing through with their finger with the sensory mix over
Laminated number flashcards 1 - 10
Laminated alphabet flashcards A - Z
A personalised laminated School Ready certificate for completing the course
A cute and reassuring heart resin "pocket hug". This can go in your child's pocket at school and they can touch it at any time to know that you are still thinking of them and are proud.
You can optionally upgrade to School Ready Premium during checkout.
Isn't it time to level up the playing field?
Given that this particular cohort of children were born during the Covid-19 pandemic and have had extra challenges thrown their way since day 1, Time to Play: School Ready is the much-needed answer to your child starting school already with a disadvantage.
So, you’re not just signing up for the School Ready programme. You’re stepping into a journey towards a happy, confident child, with a positive attitude to school, backed by a real improvement in the key developmental skills that are essential for the Reception year.
Don’t wait for your child to be clinging onto you like a limpet at the school gates. Make the smart choice and take the first step towards starting school positively with Time to Play: School Ready. Sign up now!
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