Getting ready for school: A comprehensive guide for parents

Starting primary school is one of the most exciting milestones, and it marks children’s first step into formal education. For parents, transitioning from a UK nursery to preschool can feel monumental, stirring a mix of pride and concern about how well their child will adjust.

This makes “school readiness” an essential focus. The term refers to getting ready for school by building skills beyond academics, covering social, emotional, and practical development for this important step.

In this guide, we’ll cover these key steps and provide a handy checklist to make it easier for parents to track their child’s progress.

The school application process

Applying for a place is an essential step in getting ready for school. In the UK, applications typically close by mid-January, with decisions announced in April. Parents considering independent schools should check with each school directly, as deadlines and procedures can vary.

Once your child’s place is secured, your nursery may work with the chosen school to help ease the transition. For example, N Family Club invites school teachers to meet children in familiar nursery settings, building connections and making the transition smoother. For more details, see our guide on school applications.

1. Support your child’s independence

The first step of your child’s preschool prep is to build confidence and encourage independence. While their nursery experience likely provided a foundation for these skills, they may still need extra support in mastering essential self-care tasks and day-to-day school responsibilities.

Mastering self-care

Outside of simple practicality, building self-care skills is a key aspect of school readiness, as it helps children feel capable and confident. Children learn through play. So, turning these tasks into games or fun routines can make learning each skill enjoyable and memorable. 

Encourage self-care through play:

• Using the toilet: Create a “Superhero Mission” where each toilet step – flushing, hand-washing, drying – earns a “badge” in their superhero mission, making them feel in control.
• Washing hands: Try a “Sing & Scrub” song routine where you sing a silly, 20-second rhyme together as they wash, adding fun actions to keep them engaged.
• Dressing: Turn getting dressed into a “Race to the Finish Line,” timing how quickly they can put on each piece of clothing and encouraging them to beat their personal best.
• Eating: Encourage independence by setting up a “Lunchbox Puzzle” where your child practices opening containers, unwrapping snacks, and using cutlery.

Dressing made easy

Dressing is one of those daily tasks that can feel like an Olympic event for parents, but teaching your child to get dressed and change on their own is a key aspect of getting ready for school. Besides, it makes mornings smoother and less stressful for everyone.

Set them up for success with easy-to-wear clothing:

• Velcro shoes: Opt for Velcro over laces to make putting on and taking off shoes a breeze.
• Elastic waistbands: Elastic trousers or skirts make it easy for children to pull clothing on and off without help, especially useful for bathroom breaks.
• Easy fastenings: Simple zippers, snap buttons, or loose-fitting tops make dressing manageable, even when your child is in a rush or impatient.

Building responsibility

Practising small responsibilities is an essential step in ensuring children’s emotional readiness and teaching valuable habits they’ll carry into the future. Every time they successfully tick off a task, it brings a sense of accomplishment. That’s why these little routines make a big difference in getting them ready for the school environment. 

Establish small routines to build responsibility:

• Packing their school bag: Have them check off a list of items like a water bottle, lunch, and jumper.
• Setting out clothes for the next day: Let them choose an outfit and prepare it the night before.
• Helping with small chores: Tasks like putting shoes by the door or clearing the table teach them to be mindful of daily routines.

2. Build social skills for a positive school experience

Along with learning self-care skills, it’s just as important to help your child prepare for “big school” by working on their social skills. This can help them feel more at home in their new environment and create a positive connection with going to school each day. Start with common social situations they’ll face, like making friends, sharing their ideas, handling small conflicts, and listening to others. These simple but powerful skills can set the foundation for happy, positive interactions in the classroom.

Elements of social skills and how to develop them:

• Engaging in conversations: Practice greetings and active listening. For example, encourage them to say “Hello” or “Good morning” to family members and make eye contact when someone speaks, which builds a habit of respectful listening.
• Practising sharing and turn-taking: Games like Snakes and Ladders or simple card games help them understand the concept of taking turns. Praise them when they wait patiently or share with others, reinforcing positive behaviour and showing how sharing makes playtime enjoyable.
• Playdates and social interactions: Playdates with children who might be attending the same school or group activities at the park allow them to put social skills to practise and feel more comfortable in group settings.

3. Develop early literacy and numeracy skills

Another element of school prep and building confidence is teaching your child basic literacy and numeracy skills early on. These foundational academic skills go beyond letters and numbers – they’re about nurturing a love of learning, curiosity, and independence in a fun, supportive way.

Literacy preparation:

• Read together books with engaging illustrations and repetitive phrases to encourage participation.
• Help them recognise letters, especially those in their name, by pointing them out as you read.
• Focus on creating a positive connection to books and storytelling, building reading confidence naturally.

Numeracy basics:

• Make counting part of the play – count steps, find numbers around the house, or sort objects by colour or size.
• Initiate a treasure hunt when spotting numbers on mailboxes, clocks, or cars, showing that maths is everywhere and fun to explore.

Fine motor skills:

• Strengthen hand muscles for writing with activities like drawing, cutting with child-safe scissors, or building with blocks.
• Try finger-painting, play dough, or threading beads to improve hand-eye coordination and control, setting the stage for successful writing.

4. Help your child build concentration skills

Children naturally have shorter attention spans as their brains are still developing focus and impulse control. In school, they’ll need to sit, listen, and engage for longer periods – a challenge for children just out of nursery. Parents can help by introducing activities that gently build their concentration skills, setting them up for a smoother transition.

Foster concentration through:

• Structured play: Puzzles, Lego, and crafts promote problem-solving and patience, extending attention span while keeping them engaged.
• Following instructions: Use simple, multi-step tasks like “Put your shoes by the door, then bring your coat” to practise listening and concentration.
• Consistency in routine: Align home routines with the school schedule by gradually adjusting bedtimes and mealtimes, helping children feel secure and ready for structured activities.

5. Talk to your child about school

While you’re busy handling school application admission processes, and preparing your child with practical skills, it’s easy to overlook the importance of emotional readiness. But talking to your child about school can help ease any worries and build excitement for this new chapter. 

Try open, gentle conversations that create a safe space for them to express their feelings. Start with:

• Discussing the school day: Familiarise them with the rhythm of the day. Explain activities like circle time, lunch, playtime, and storytime so they know what to expect.
• Books and stories about school: Reading together is a wonderful way to address anxiety. Books like Starting School by Allan Ahlberg or The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn offer gentle, positive messages about starting school. 
• Addressing concerns and excitement: Encourage your child to share any worries or excitement. Let them know it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions, reassuring them that these feelings are normal and they’ll have plenty of support. 

Books about school

Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Starting School by Sarah Ockwell

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

Harry and the Dinosaurs go to School by Ian Whybrow

Five Minute Mum: Starting School: The Ultimate Guide for New School Starters by Daisy Upton

Starting School Sticker Book by Felicity Brooks

When a Dragon Goes to School by Caryl Hart

Going to Big School by Laura Sieveking

First Day at Bug School by Sam Lloyd

6. Practical tools: checklists and certificates

To make things easier for parents, we’ve prepared a simple checklist that covers the basics of getting ready for school. 

Simple school readiness checklist

Independence

• Uses the toilet and washes hands alone
• Dresses independently (coat, shoes, etc.)
• Can open lunch containers and use basic cutlery
• Packs and unpacks their school bag

Social skills

• Greets others and introduces themselves
• Takes turns and shares with others
• Asks for help when needed
• Listens and responds in conversation

Emotional readiness

• Knows basic school routines (storytime, playtime)
• Can express feelings about school (excited, nervous)
• Comfortable being away from home

Early learning skills

• Recognises letters and enjoys storytime
• Knows basic numbers and enjoys counting
• Engages in drawing or colouring

Focus and routine

• Follows simple instructions (e.g., two-step tasks)
• Completes short activities (puzzles, building blocks)
• Has a consistent routine similar to school timings

Download and print the checklist 

“Starting school certificate”

A “School Readiness Certificate” is a fun, motivating way to celebrate your child’s progress and build excitement as they prepare for their first day of preschool.

Once your child has completed the checklist of readiness skills, like dressing independently, recognising numbers, or practising turn-taking, you can present them with a personalised certificate to recognise their hard work and achievements.

You can even make a special moment out of it by having a little “graduation ceremony” at home where you present the certificate with some fanfare.

Feel free to add stickers, their name in big letters, and a fun title like “Official School-Ready Superstar!” This simple certificate rewards their efforts and boosts their confidence, helping them feel proud and ready for this new adventure.

Conclusion: Embracing the transition with confidence

Preparing your child for school by building essential skills, confidence, and resilience can make all the difference in their experience. 

With a foundation of independence and a mix of social and practical skills, they’ll be better equipped to embrace this new chapter with excitement. 

For more tips and support on preparing for a smooth transition from nursery to “big school”, visit N Family Club.