1. Introduction. 2. The Starting School Lottery. 3. Characteristics of Effective Learning. 4. Playing and Exploring. 5. Active Learning. 6. Creating and Thinking Critically. 7. Children Who Are Ready. 8. Children Ready Schools. 9. Settings Supporting Children. 10. Engaging Parents and Carers. 11. What Next? Creating Lifelong Learners. Appendices. Glossary.

