School readiness starts from conception. This is a crucial time for brain development and children's brains are like sponges. Healthy brain development means that children learn and develop well, helping them to be ready for school and later life.

Born Ready, School Ready, Bexley Ready (PDF) looks at infant/child development from the time of conception to when children go off to school.

Born Ready, School Ready, Bexley Ready will give you ideas about how you can help your baby/child's brain development and support learning at home. There are ideas for:

• activities
• talking with babies and children
• looking at books
• play
• outings
• stay and play groups
• sleep
• diet
• behaviour
• toileting
• language development 
• health information.  

You can also find out where to get support if you’re worried about your child in any way. 

Also included is information on childcare and how to access nursery, childminders and school places (this is also detailed on Childcare). It’s the one-stop-shop for anything child-related.