Get ready for reception

“I have all the vaccinations I need”

Making sure your child is up to date with all their vaccinations will protect them from serious illness like flu, measles and whooping cough.

It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if your child has missed a vaccine, it’s never too late to catch up. Contact your GP or call 0300 5555 055 to book an appointment. Choose option 6 for Essex, or option 7 for Hertfordshire.

The NHS website tells you what vaccinations are given and when.

“I can go to the toilet on my own and wash my hands“

Going to the toilet independently is an important skill to learn before starting school. On the NHS website you can find advice on potty training and using the toilet instead of a potty.

Hand washing should follow a visit to the toilet. It is one of the most effective ways to stop bugs spreading so easily in classrooms. You can use the video below to help explain how to wash your hands. For a written version of the technique, visit the NHS website.

“When I cough or sneeze I try to catch it in a tissue“

Catching coughs or colds in a tissue then throwing it away before washing hands can also help stop the spread of germs. If there are no tissues available to your child, you can encourage them to cough or sneeze into their elbow.

“I brush my teeth twice a day”

Helping your child understand why it’s important to brush their teeth twice a day will encourage them to develop healthy habits . This is important as they get closer to an age where they can do this independently.