Starting Strong: Nurturing School Readiness the Child Centred Way

Starting Strong is a powerful call to rethink what it truly means for a child to be “school ready.” In a time of increasing policy pressures and academic benchmarks, Dr Aaron Bradbury offers a bold, research-informed and compassionate alternative, one that places the child, not the system, at the centre. This book challenges traditional, checklist-based definitions of readiness and instead reframes school transition as a relational, developmental journey. Drawing on developmental theory, contemporary research, and heartfelt practitioner experience, Starting Strong argues for environments that nurture emotional wellbeing, social confidence, and playful learning as the foundation for lifelong learning. Across eight reflective chapters, Bradbury explores key themes including language and communication, parental engagement, rights-based approaches, and his innovative “Child in the Now” model. Case studies, provocations, and reflective questions offer readers practical insight into transforming their practice and advocating for children’s rights. Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or policymaker, Starting Strong will inspire you to shift the question from “Is this child ready for school?” to “Is this school ready for the child?” It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to uphold a truly child-centred approach in early education.