How to prepare your child for their first day of school

The first day of school is an exciting time for young children and their parents. Establish a consistent routine with early bedtimes and morning practices. Talk positively about school to make it seem exciting. Other important steps include visiting the school beforehand, practicing essential skills like getting dressed, and involving children in school-related tasks like packing their bags.

Do

• Chat with your child about starting school. Ask them what they think it will be like. What are they looking forward to the most? Is there anything they're unsure or worried about?

• Look at the school's brochure, prospectus, or website together and talk about the pictures.

• Find photos of you and other family members at school, and share happy memories from your own school days.

• If possible, visit the school with your child before they start. You can go on open days, or to fêtes, plays, and other events.

• If your child seems anxious about school, focus on the things they may enjoy the most. This could be the sandpit, playhouse, or making new friends. They might have some friends from preschool who will start reception at the same time.

• Practice the morning routine for school. This includes getting dressed and eating breakfast on time to leave.

• Practice the school run so that you're both ready for the morning journey to school.

• If your child has a specific worry, like wetting themselves, not liking the food, or feeling sick, discuss these concerns with them and their class teacher. Provide reassurance by talking about what to do and who to inform in these situations.

• If your child has a favorite toy or blanket for security, help them get used to being without it during the day. Check with the class teacher to see if they can bring their toy or blanket and leave it in a tray or on their peg.

• If you have arranged childcare before or after school, go over this with your child. If the childcare is new, consider a settling-in period before the school term begins. You could create a wall chart for the week to help your child understand what to expect.

Don't Do

• It’s normal to feel nervous about your child starting school. Keep in mind that your child can sense your feelings. Aim to stay relaxed and positive instead of showing your own anxiety.

• Avoid saying things like “I hated school” or “I was bad at school.” These comments could lead your child to have a negative outlook.

Being Prepared

If your child has spent time in a childcare or preschool setting, they likely have many of the social and practical skills needed for school. They are accustomed to being apart from you, interacting with other children, following instructions, and communicating with adults. They also learn to take responsibility for cleaning up after themselves and managing their own belongings.
Don’t worry if your child has not attended a childcare program or preschool. Playing with friends, family members, or other children at the park or soft play area is great practice for making friends at school. Often, kids who don’t know each other become friends easily. If your child struggles, you can teach them helpful phrases like “can I join in?” or “do you want to share?” If you know other children who will be in your child's class, consider organizing a playdate or outing together. This can help you share feelings and concerns with their parents, who may be experiencing similar emotions. As the school term approaches, try to establish a routine. This will help your child adjust to waking up, going to bed, and having meals and snacks at the same times they will during school days. Bath time and stories can replace TV and tablet games to help them wind down before bed. Spending 10 minutes in the evening to talk about your day can create a nice habit for sharing enjoyable moments and any worries. Good meals and enough sleep will enable them to focus and learn well at school. If your child still takes naps, it may be wise to start reducing this. It will be easier for them if they have a solid bedtime routine. You might offer some quiet time after lunch instead of a nap. Some reception classes do provide space for kids to nap if needed, but introducing a longer day before school begins could help with the transition.

SELF-CARE

GOING TO THE TOILET  
Support your child to use the loo on time and wipe properly, using toilet paper instead of moist wipes. Do you have a different phrase for going to the toilet at home? Letting the class teacher know what this phrase is will help them understand what your child is trying to ask.  

WASHING THEIR HANDS  
Talk about the importance of good handwashing with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet or handling animals. A good way to show how germs can linger is to let your child cover their hands in paint (pretend germs!) and then try to wash it all off.  

DRESSING AND UNDRESSING  
Let your child practice putting on their school clothes, taking them off, and folding them neatly to prepare for PE lessons. They should also practice fastenings like shirt buttons and zippers. Clothes with elastic bands and shoes with Velcro are easier for young children to manage. Teach your child tricks, such as putting labels at the back, holding cuffs to stop sleeves from riding up, and avoiding wrinkles.

FEEDING THEMSELVES  
Children who have school dinners need to use a full-sized knife and fork and carry a plate or tray. If your child has a lunchbox, make sure they can open it and any containers and packets inside.

USING A TISSUE  
Teach your child the routine of ‘catch it, bin it, kill it.’ This means catching their sneeze or runny nose in a tissue, putting it in the bin right away, and then washing their hands to stay clean. You can also play games to practice nose control, like blowing a feather into the air.

TIDYING UP  
Encourage your child to hang up their coat, put their toys away, and clear the table. This will help them get ready for doing these tasks at school.

YOUR FIRST WEEK CHECKLIST

• Do you know exactly where to take your child and at what time?

• Do you know where to pick up your child and at what time? What about on other days? (PE kit, book bag, spare clothes, and so on)

• Do you and your child know where to hang coats and PE kits?

• Does your child know who will collect them each day? If they attend an after-school club, it could be a teacher, an assistant, or a member of that club. If it’s your regular childminder, have you updated your contract to include the school run details?

• Do you know if you need to take your child into the classroom and help them settle, or are they expected to go in by themselves?

• Have you put name labels on everything? Show your child where the labels are and make sure they are sewn or stuck in a place that’s easy for them to find.