Getting Ready for School: A Parent’s Friendly Guide

Starting school is such an exciting milestone, for your child and for you! Whether it’s your first time doing the school run or your third, it’s totally normal to wonder how best to prepare your little one for this big step. But don’t worry, getting “school ready” isn’t about flashcards or knowing how to write their name in perfect cursive. It’s actually much more practical, and fun, than you might think. Here’s a relaxed guide to helping your child get off to a confident start, from a Reception Class teacher with over 10 years experience settling in new starters.

1. Boost Their Independence

Starting school can feel like a big leap, but helping your child become more independent makes a world of difference. Here are a few simple things to practise together before September rolls around:

• Toilet independence: Encourage your child to use the toilet on their own, wipe properly, flush, and wash their hands well. Accidents are totally normal in the early days, but feeling confident here is a big win.

• Getting dressed: Let your child practise putting on their clothes, especially tricky bits like buttons and socks. School uniforms can be fiddly, so it helps to do some dress rehearsals (literally!).

• Coats and zips: Learning the trick to getting a coat on by themselves (like the "push and whoosh" trick- we will post a video of this on our social media channels soon so keep your eyes peeled if you don't know it) and doing up a zip are brilliant school-ready skills.

• Shoes on and off: Velcro shoes are a parent’s best friend. Let your child practise taking shoes on and off independently, they’ll need to do this for PE or playing dress-up.

• Knife and fork skills: School lunches can be a bit of a shock if your child is used to being helped. Practise using a knife and fork at mealtimes, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just enough for them to feel confident. It is very normal for schools to help children with the cutting in the early days, but giving them a chance to have a go first will really help them to feel more comfortable in those busy lunch halls.

2. What Doesn't Matter As Much As You Might Think!

It’s easy to worry that your child needs to be able to write their name, count to 20, or read a stack of books before setting foot in the classroom. But honestly, that’s not what schools are expecting.

In fact, many school prefer that children arrive with a clean slate so they can be taught in a consistent way using their school’s chosen phonics, maths or handwriting scheme. So take the pressure off and don't worry!

3. If They’re Keen to Learn… Here’s What Helps Most

Of course, some children are naturally curious and eager to learn, and that’s great! But instead of jumping ahead to formal learning, focus on building strong foundations through play and everyday activities:

Fine motor skills:

These are the small movements that help with writing, cutting, and dressing.

Try:

• Playing with playdough

• Threading beads or pasta onto string

• Using tweezers to pick up small objects

• Drawing, painting, and using scissors

Gross motor skills:

These help with balance, coordination, and general physical confidence.

Try:

• Climbing at the park

• Dancing to music

• Riding a balance bike or scooter

• Playing catch, kicking a ball, or hopping around the garden

Language and early literacy:

Reading and rhyming build vocabulary and phonics awareness.

Try:

• Reading books together every day

• Singing nursery rhymes and action songs

• have a go at an oral blending game (see the video on our social media for an idea of what you could do)

• Playing “I spy” with sounds, not letter names

Early number skills:

No need for workbooks, keep it playful.

Try:

• Counting stairs, snacks, cars, anything!

• Singing number songs like “Five Little Ducks”

• Spotting numbers on doors or signs

• Simple board games with dice

Other fun and helpful skills:

• Talk about colours and match them in games

• Help them recognise their name. This will really help them to find their belongings at school such as their water bottle or peg.

4. The Most Important Thing You Can Do

Above all else, the best way to get your child ready for school is simply to talk to them.

Talk about anything and everything, answer their “why” questions, explain how things work, tell them about your day, and explore the world together. And don’t feel you have to simplify your words too much. Kids soak up language like sponges and understand far more than we sometimes give them credit for. Just wait until they come home talking about "phonemes", "graphemes" and "digraphs" after only a few weeks at school!

Go on walks, look for bugs, chat about the clouds, visit the shops and name all the fruit… all those little conversations add up to a big boost in language, curiosity and confidence.

Finally…

Every child is different, and being “ready” doesn’t look the same for everyone. Your child doesn’t need to be perfect at anything before they start school, they just need to be curious, loved, encouraged and feel confident to start this new part of their life.

So keep things light, celebrate the little wins, and enjoy this exciting time. You’ve got this and so have they!

If you'd like any more help or support in getting your child ready for school, just want some reassurance or a chat, pop us a message, we'd be more than happy to help.