Here to support your child with their transition to Primary School!
These fun, friendly and FREE events are aimed at families whose children are starting Reception Class in September 2026. They are being hosted at several schools across Essex and you can pop along at the one that is most convenient for you.
The sessions will be packed with top tips and advice from various family services, to help your child feel confident and excited to begin their journey at Primary School!
We trialled the Starting Reception Roadshows in parts of Essex last year and they were a big success, so we look forward to seeing you ready to support the children of class 2026!
Top tips will include:
- Growing independence
- Building relationships and communicating with confidence
- Physical development and getting active
- Healthy routines
Things to know:
- The event you choose to attend doesn’t need to be the school that your child may be going to
- There’s no need to book, just turn up
- Children are more than welcome to come along too
If you have any questions about these events, please email us at tlc@essex.gov.uk and we will be more than happy to help.
Please see below for the details of what’s happening in your area:
North Essex
Where: Prettygate Infants School, Colchester, CO3 4PH
When: Wednesday 4th March 2026 – 6.00pm until 7.30pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Bishop William Ward School, Great Horkesley, CO6 4AT
When: Wednesday 11th March 2026 – 6.00pm until 7.30pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Alresford Primary School, Tendring, CO7 8AU
When: Wednesday 18th March 2026 – 6.00pm until 7.30pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Mayflower Primary School, Harwich, CO12 4AG
When: Wednesday 25th March 2026 – 6.00pm until 7.30pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Mid Essex
Where: South Woodham Ferrers Library, Chelmsford, CM3 5JU
When: Saturday 7th March 2026 – 10.00am until 11.30am
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Chipping Hill Primary School, Witham, CM8 1FR
When: Monday 9th March 2026 – 4.30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8LG
When: Thursday 12th March 2026 – 4.30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Maldon & Tiptree Football Club, Maldon, CM9 5JQ
When: Saturday 14th March 2026 – 10.00am until 11:30am
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Lyons Hall Primary School, Braintree, CM7 9FH
When: Wednesday 18th March 2026 – 4.30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Galleywood Primary School, Chelmsford, CM2 8RR
When: Tuesday 24th March 2026 – 4.30pm until 6:00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
South Essex
Where: St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School, Brentwood, CM15 9BX
When: Tuesday 10th March 2026 – 6:00pm until 7:30pm
Click here to view on Google Maps
Where: Janet Duke Primary School, Basildon, SS15 5LS
When: Wednesday 18th March 2026 – 6:00pm until 7:30pm
Click here to view on Google Maps
Where: Winter Gardens Academy, Canvey Island, SS8 9QA
When: Wednesday 25th March 2026 – 4:00pm until 5:30pm
Click here to view on Google Maps
West Essex
Where: Great Dunmow Primary School, Dunmow, CM6 1ZR
When: Thursday 5th March 2026 – 5:00pm until 7:00 pm
Click here to view on Google Maps
Where: Bentfield Primary School, Stansted, CM24 8DX
When: Wednesday 11th March 2026 – 4:30pm until 6:30 pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: R A Butler Academy, Saffron Walden, CB11 3DG
When: Thursday 19th March 2026 – 6:00pm until 8:00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Hillhouse C of E Primary School, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3EL
When: Tuesday 21st April 2026 – 1.30pm until 3.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Freshwaters Primary School, Harlow, CM20 3QA
When: Tuesday 21st April 2026 – 4:30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Abbotsweld Primary School, Harlow, CM18 6TE
When: Wednesday 22nd April 2026 – 4:30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Sheering Primary School, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7LU
When: Thursday 23rd April 2026 – 09:30am until 11.30pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Potter Street Academy, Harlow, CM17 9EU
When: Tuesday 28th April 2026 – 4.30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Katherines Primary Academy, Harlow, CM19 5NP
When: Wednesday 29th April 2026 – 4:30pm until 6.00pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Ongar Primary School, Ongar, CM5 0FF
When: Thursday 30th April 2026 – 3.30pm until 5.30pm
Click here to view location on Google Maps
Where: Epping Library, Epping, CM16 5DN
When: Tuesday 19th May 2026 – 10.00am until 11.30am
Click here to view location on Google Maps