Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve support for children transitioning from early years education to primary school in West Dorset constituency.

Starting school is a big step, and the department wants every child in reception to feel confident, supported and ready to learn. Preparing children for this transition should be a partnership between parents, early years settings, health services and schools.

Reception is a vital foundation year that sets children up for success. That’s why we are expanding support through tailored improvement offers, helping parents feel confident in their child’s progress, and strengthening teaching in early literacy and numeracy.

From September 2026, schools will benefit from specialist training and support, reaching around 10,000 more children. Our regional improvement for standards and excellence teams have made reception a national priority, offering universal, enhanced and intensive support to schools.

The department is also funding new partnerships between schools and nurseries to improve transitions, strengthen relationships and share best practice. This joined-up approach will help children feel ready and at home in the classroom.

Finally, the department is enhancing professional development, including more early years content in the national professional qualification (NPQ) for headship, new training for reception teachers, and more places on the NPQ in early years leadership.

Together, these measures will ensure every child gets the best possible start to their school journey.