Why Mouse Matters: What the Research Says About School Readiness and Parental Engagement

Starting school is a significant step, not just for children, but also for their parents. At Mouse Club, we believe that helping families feel confident and connected during this transition makes a world of difference. And we have the research to back that up.

An independent evaluation, funded by the OVO Foundation and conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), confirmed that Mouse Club helps children feel ready for school and supports the adults around them as well.

The evaluation looked at three early years projects focused on improving children's communication, confidence, and school readiness. One of them was Mouse Club, which uses a soft toy mouse as a playful, practical tool to build bridges between home and school.

Here’s what the evaluation found:

🐭 Children connected with Mouse emotionally
Teachers and parents told us Mouse helped children feel less anxious about starting school. One parent said:

“Mouse was always in his bag and acted as a source of comfort.”

💬 Mouse supported social and emotional skills
Children used Mouse to talk about feelings and solve everyday problems.

“My daughter would say ‘Mouse is scared about starting school’, she was really talking about herself.”

Teachers also noticed improved turn-taking, reasoning, and peer friendships.

📖 Mouse made learning fun at home
Families used Mouse at home for obstacle courses, tea parties, scavenger hunts, and even superhero costume-making! One parent said:

“Learning started to feel more like play.”

👨👩👧 Parents felt more involved and confident
From home visits to Stay and Play sessions, families said they appreciated the practical ideas and hands-on resources. Even during the pandemic, teachers dropped off bags with Mice and activity packs, and schools used online platforms to stay connected.

Adapting Through a Pandemic
When COVID-19 disrupted classrooms, Mouse Club didn’t stop; it evolved.

• Schools created videos showing how to use Mouse at home.
• Families received doorstep deliveries of mice and printed resources.
• Teachers used class mice as a way to stay connected remotely.

In a time of isolation and uncertainty, Mouse helped maintain a sense of routine and relationship.

What This Means for Schools and Settings
The evaluation highlighted Mouse Club as a flexible, inclusive, and evidence-informed approach that:

• Encourages positive parental engagement
• Strengthens children’s school readiness
• Supports emotional well-being and communication
• Helps schools reach families who are traditionally less engaged

Want to bring Mouse Club to your setting?
If you're a teacher, school leader, or early years practitioner looking for a fun and meaningful way to support transitions and the home learning environment, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Get in touch: hello@mouseclub.co.uk 
📖 Explore our resources.
📈 Read the full report.

At Mouse Club, we don’t just talk about school readiness, we build it, one small mouse at a time. And this research proves that something small can have a big impact.