School for any age can be scary, but ensuring your child is equipped and well prepared helps alleviate any anxious feelings they may have and will help them feel more confident about the big changes that are about to happen and what to expect at their new school.
You can help your child to develop a love for learning, so the move is a happy and positive one.
The following points are some things to do to prepare children in starting their first year of school:
- Ask children what they think about school.
- Encourage children to ask questions about going to school.
- Encourage children to do things on their own, such as dressing, washing their hands, going to the toilet, unwrapping their food, and opening their drink bottle.
- Get vaccinated as soon as possible – vaccinations are available to children from 5 years old.
- Encourage and discuss hand hygiene and regular handwashing
- Parents can talk to the school about how they can be involved in their child’s life at school.
- Talk to our staff who are holding the activity sessions, about other things you can do at home to help their child’s learning and development.
Tips to Support a Smooth Transition to Big School
Familiarising Your Child With School
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Show your child where the school is and talk about how they will get there.
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If possible, organise playdates with other children who will be attending the same school, so your child already knows someone before starting.
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Ask the school what time classes begin on the first day and where to take your child.
Building Daily School Routines
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Practise school readiness tasks such as packing their bag and remembering important items like a hat.
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Help your child pack their school bag with a snack, drink, lunch, and hat.
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Include a change of clothes and spare underpants in a labelled plastic bag, and let your child know they are there just in case.
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Put sunscreen on your child in the morning if required.
Supporting Independence and Confidence
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Choose school clothes with easy fasteners and encourage your child to dress themselves, including putting jumpers on and off.
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Label all belongings and find out where lost property is kept at school.
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Stay positive about starting school and Outside School Hours Care (OOSH), sharing the excitement with your child.
Before and After School Care Arrangements
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Confirm before and after-school care arrangements.
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Show your child where the Outside School Hours Care facilities are and explain how they will get there.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Preparation
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Leave home on time to allow for a calm goodbye.
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Stay briefly if needed to help your child feel secure, then keep goodbyes short and reassuring to encourage independence.
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Show your child where you will meet them at the end of the school day.
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Check what time school finishes and arrive early to collect them.
Talking About the School Day
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After school, talk with your child about what happened during their day.
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Praise your child for being brave, let them know how proud you are, and remind them that they are loved. Encouragement helps build self-confidence.
Our Preschool Community
Our Preschool provides a diverse, inclusive, and safe learning environment where families and children are encouraged to ask questions. Our team is always available to support families through the transition to Preschool and to help prepare early learners for their journey to big school.
Celebrating Our Graduates
Congratulations to the 30 children beginning their big school journey in 2022. We are proud of each and every one of them.