Supporting your child to start school
Starting school can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking time for you and your child. Your little one is about to take a big step and start a new chapter of their life.
Here are some tips to help make this transition go as smoothly as possible:
- Talk about their school – as soon as your child’s place is confirmed start talking about their new school: name of the school, location, the daily routine, teachers and anything else you know about the school. These conversations can be very exciting for you both.
- Get familiar with the school run – the summer holidays is the ideal time to practice the school run. Get them excited about their new adventure.
- Tidying up – encourage your little one to get involved in tidying up activities.
- School uniform – trying on their uniform is a great opportunity for your little one to practise fastening and unfastening zips, buttons and Velcro. If your child is taking a packed lunch to school let them choose their own lunch box.
- Language development – enjoy lots of reading time with your little one
- Writing their own name – get lots of practice in before school starts.
- Self care:
- Wiping their nose
- Telling the teacher if they are not feeling well
- Toilet training
- Before starting school ensure that your child knows how to:
- wipe themselves properly and pull up their pants
- flush the toilet
- wash their hands thoroughly
School Readiness Checklist
Please review our School readiness checklist to identify area’s where your child may need support.
Toileting Resources
Resources to help with toileting
Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train – ERIC
Toilets and school readiness – ERIC
Children who will only poo in a nappy and other toilet avoiders – ERIC
Toilet anxiety and toilet phobia in children – ERIC
Your Child’s Development Resources
Resources to support your child’s development of school readiness skills
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/science-and-facts
Self-Care Resources For Young People | Anna Freud
Tips for Parents
Hints and tips for parents to support your child’s school readiness journey
BBC Tiny Happy People – School readiness: How to prepare your child for school
BBC Tiny Happy People – tips and advice
Additional Needs
Resources to support school readiness for children with additional needs
Potty training children with additional needs – ERIC
Sensory processing difficulties
Making sense of sensory behaviour
Enhanced team and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
School Readiness Video
Further Help and Support
If, after accessing these links and following the recommendations, you still feel you require further support or guidance, please contact your local 0-19+/25 team. You can self-refer using our online referral form or contact us on the telephone numbers below.
Knowsley – complete the online referral form or call 0151 514 2666
Cheshire East – complete the online referral form or call 0300 123 4058
Wirral – complete the online referral form or call 0151 514 0129
St Helens – complete online referral form or call 01744 411277
