School Readiness: How to Prepare Your Child for School
Starting school is a big milestone – for both you and your child. It’s exciting, emotional, and sometimes a little overwhelming too.
If you’re wondering whether your child is “ready”, you’re not alone. The good news? You’re probably already doing more than you think.
School readiness isn’t about ticking off a checklist or making sure your child can read and write before they start. It’s about building confidence, independence and the everyday skills that help them feel happy, secure and ready to learn.
If you’re beginning to explore nursery options, you can take a look at our My Ohana nurseries to see how we support children to grow in confidence, independence and curiosity.
What Does “School Readiness” Really Mean?
School readiness is about the whole child.
It includes:
Confidence to try new things
Ability to communicate their needs
Social skills like sharing and taking turns
Basic independence (like getting dressed or using the toilet)
Emotional understanding
Every child arrives at school with different experiences, personalities and abilities. And that’s completely okay. Schools are ready for this and will support your child every step of the way.
Every Child Develops Differently
No two children are the same. Some will feel ready straight away, while others may take a little longer to adjust.
If your child has additional needs, or you have any concerns about their development, you’re not expected to figure it out alone. Your nursery team, health visitor or your child’s future school can all support you.
At My Ohana, we always encourage open conversations early on - it makes a huge difference.
How You’re Already Preparing Your Child
The most important learning doesn’t happen through formal lessons. It happens in everyday moments.
Things like:
Chatting about your day
Reading stories together
Playing games
Letting your child try things for themselves
These small interactions build the foundations for school without it feeling like “learning”.
Key Skills to Practise Before Starting School
Think of these as gentle areas to support, not a checklist to complete.
1. Growing Independence
Starting school means doing more things independently.
You can support this by encouraging your child to:
Put on their coat and shoes
Use the toilet and wash their hands
Feed themselves using cutlery
Help with simple tasks at home
Tip: Give them time to try. It might take longer, but it builds confidence.
2. Communication Skills
Being able to express their needs is key to feeling secure at school.
This might look like:
Asking for help
Saying when they’re thirsty or tired
Talking about their day
👉 You can also explore our blog on supporting early communication and language development for simple ideas to try at home.
Remember, communication isn’t just verbal. Some children use gestures, signs or visual cues - and that’s absolutely fine.
3. Social & Emotional Development
School introduces new friendships, routines and emotions.
Helpful skills include:
Sharing and taking turns
Playing alongside others
Recognising feelings (their own and others)
Beginning to manage frustration
Try this at home:
Talk about feelings during everyday moments:
“That was tricky, wasn’t it? How did it make you feel?”
“You seem really excited about that – what’s making you feel happy?”
“You look proud of what you’ve done – shall we talk about it?”
“Your friend didn’t want to share – how did that make you feel?”
👉 If your child finds it difficult to express how they’re feeling, our blog on managing separation anxiety in the early years offers gentle ways to support communication and build emotional confidence.
4. Listening & Attention
Children don’t need long attention spans, but being able to focus briefly helps them engage in activities.
You can build this through:
Reading together
Simple games and puzzles
Following small instructions like “get your shoes and wait by the door”
👉 Take a look at our blog on STEM activities for kids for fun ways to build focus, problem-solving and curiosity through play.
5. Physical Development
Movement is essential for both physical health and learning.
Encourage activities like:
Running, jumping and climbing
Drawing, colouring and cutting
Building with blocks or completing puzzles
These help develop coordination, strength and fine motor skills.
👉 Our outdoor play ideas are a great way to support your child’s physical development while having fun together.
6. Healthy Routines
A consistent routine helps children feel safe and settled.
Focus on:
Regular bedtimes
Brushing teeth twice a day
Balanced meals
Limiting screen time
Simple routines make the transition to school much smoother.
👉 Healthy eating plays an important role in your child’s development too. You can read more in our guide to healthy eating in the early years, along with simple ideas like our healthy desserts for toddlers and easy, nutritious snack ideas to support balanced habits at home.
Simple Ways to Prepare Your Child at Home
You don’t need complicated plans - just small, meaningful activities.
Talk About School
Make school part of everyday conversation. Keep it positive and reassuring.
Read Books About Starting School
Stories help children understand what to expect and reduce anxiety.
Visit the School (If You Can)
Seeing the environment beforehand can make a big difference in confidence.
Practise Daily Routines
Getting dressed, packing a bag, or sitting down for lunch - it all helps build familiarity.
Fun Activities to Build School-Ready Skills
Learning through play is the best way to prepare your child.
Hopscotch: Builds coordination and turn-taking
Feelings games: Helps children express emotions
Role play: Practise “school” at home
Sorting games: Develops problem-solving skills
Sound games: Builds early language awareness
Keep it light, playful and pressure-free.
Helping Your Child Feel Emotionally Ready
One of the biggest parts of school readiness is emotional security.
You can support this by:
Talking openly about worries
Reassuring them you’ll come back at pick-up time
Keeping goodbyes calm and consistent
Building short separations with trusted adults
Children take their cues from you. Your calm reassurance goes a long way.
If You’re Feeling Unsure
It’s completely normal to have worries about your child starting school.
If something doesn’t feel right:
Speak to your child’s nursery or preschool
Contact your health visitor
Talk to the school before they start
Early support can make a big difference, and there’s always help available.
Helpful Resources for Parents
Starting school is a big transition, and it’s completely normal to have questions along the way. The good news is, there’s plenty of support available to help you and your child feel prepared and confident.
Here are some trusted resources and places to turn for guidance:
Support from Your Nursery or Preschool
Your child’s nursery or preschool team knows them well and can offer personalised advice on their development, strengths and any areas they may need a little extra support with. Don’t hesitate to ask questions - they’re there to help.
School Support (Including SENCO)
If your child has additional needs or you have any concerns, your child’s new school will be able to support you. Many schools have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who can work with you to put the right support in place.
NHS and Government Guidance
There are also a number of trusted national resources available to support you and your child as you prepare for school. These offer practical advice, expert guidance and simple ideas you can use at home.
Best Start in Life (gov.uk) - Guide to Preparing for School
Best Start in Life (gov.uk) - Screen Time Guidance for Under 5’s
NHS - Learning conversations and telling stories: 3 to 5 years
BBC Bitesize - BBC Parents Toolkit
Starting Reception - Starting Reception Guide
These resources are a great way to build your confidence, answer common questions, and support your child’s development in a way that works for your family.
My Ohana Blogs and Guides
We’ve created a range of helpful, easy-to-follow guides for parents, including:
STEM Activities for Children: Simple, Fun Ideas to Try at Home
Top 16 Literacy Activities for Early Years & Free Activity Pack
Learning Through Play: The Power of Play-Based Learning in Early Years
Why Early Years Education is Important for Your Child’s Development and Future Success
These are designed to give you simple, realistic ideas you can use at home.
Remember, you don’t need to do everything perfectly.
Every child develops at their own pace, and school staff are there to support both you and your child through this transition. With a little preparation, lots of encouragement, and the right support around you, your child will be ready to take this exciting next step.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At My Ohana, we support children every day in building the confidence and skills they need for school and beyond. Explore our nurseries to see how we can support your child’s journey.
