School Readiness: Helping Your Child Prepare for School

When school places are announced each spring, it can bring a wave of excitement (and a few nerves!). If you’re thinking, “How is my baby starting school already?!” – you’re definitely not alone.

Every child’s journey is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all  checklist. But there are certain skills that can help little ones feel more secure as they start their school adventure…

And that’s where we come in.

How Kids Planet Supports School Readiness Every Day

At Kids Planet, our nurseries are built to support your child’s transition to school – gently, supportively, and at their own pace. Every setting has a dedicated pre-school room leader with specialist training in early years education, meaning your child is in great hands as they prepare for their next big adventure.

Let’s delve more into what it means for your little one to be ready for school.

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What Does “School Readiness” Really Mean?

To help guide families and educators, the Department for Education developed a School Readiness Checklist that highlights the core skills children are ideally supported to develop before starting school. It covers areas like:

• Personal independence – e.g. going to the toilet, dressing, and feeding themselves
• Communication and language – listening, understanding, and speaking clearly
• Physical development – gross and fine motor skills like climbing, running, and using scissors
• Emotional wellbeing – feeling safe, managing feelings, and forming friendships

While every child is different, these areas provide a helpful framework – not a rigid tick list. At Kids Planet, we use this guidance alongside our own expertise to make sure your child’s development is supported in a way that feels natural, playful, and child led.

Let’s breakdown the pillars of school readiness:

The Four Pillars of School Readiness

There are four core areas – or pillars – to guide how parents and childcare providers support children’s school readiness. These align closely with government guidance and early years development frameworks, helping to build the practical, social, emotional and physical skills children need to thrive in a school environment.

1. Growing Independence🧦

Starting school brings lots of new routines, and for children, doing things “all by myself” can be a big confidence boost. From getting changed for PE to managing lunch and asking for help when needed, independence gives children a sense of control and capability in a brand-new environment.

At nursery, we support children to build these everyday skills in fun, pressure-free ways, so they feel natural by the time school starts.

We help children practise:

• Using the toilet and washing hands independently
• Getting dressed and putting on shoes
• Using cutlery during meals
• Tidying up their toys and belongings
• Taking on small daily responsibilities

These moments might feel small – but they empower children to walk into school with confidence, knowing “I can do this.”

2. Building Communication & Relationships💬

School isn’t just about learning – it’s about belonging. Children will be meeting new people, making friends, following instructions, and expressing themselves in a new environment. Strong communication and social skills help children settle in, feel understood, and connect with others.

That’s why we place so much focus on building these skills through play, gentle routines, and peer interaction.

We support children to:

• Share, take turns, and play with others
• Express feelings using words
• Listen and follow simple instructions
• Understand how others might be feeling
• Ask for help when they need it

These skills lay the foundation for positive classroom behaviour, friendships, and emotional resilience.

3. Supporting Physical Development🏃

A child’s physical development plays a big part in how they access learning and manage daily school routines. From sitting on the carpet and holding a pencil, to climbing stairs and dancing to music, physical confidence supports both learning and independence.

We build physical development into everyday activities in fun, engaging ways – helping children develop strength, coordination and control through movement and play.

Key skills we focus on:

• Climbing stairs safely
• Holding pencils or crayons with control
• Using scissors (safely!)
• Doing up zips and fastening buttons
• Developing balance and coordination through active play

The goal isn’t perfection – it’s confidence. And that comes from practising these movements every day, in a space where it’s okay to wobble, try again, and succeed.

4. Establishing Routines🌙

Children thrive on routine as it helps them feel safe, secure, and ready to learn. Moving from nursery to school means adjusting to new schedules, expectations, and environments. Having predictable, routines at home and in nursery helps make that transition feel smoother and less overwhelming.

We work closely with families to support:

• Regular bedtime routines
• Brushing teeth daily
• Washing hands before meals and after the toilet
• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet

At Kids Planet, our day gently mirrors the routines your child would experience in school. With consistent mealtimes, hygiene practices, and calm transitions, so children develop the rhythm and habits they’ll carry with them into school.

How Can I Support School Readiness at Home?

You don’t need worksheets or formal lessons to help your child prepare for school. Real learning happens in everyday moments – and you’re already doing more than you think.

Here are some simple, playful ways to support school readiness at home:

• Let your child choose their clothes and get dressed.
  It builds independence and decision-making skills – and yes, odd sock days are totally fine.
• Play board games or card games that involve turn-taking.
  Games like Snap, Connect 4, or even a simple dice game teach patience, rule-following, and social interaction.
• Talk about feelings regularly.
  Help your child to name and understand emotions by saying things like, “You look frustrated – do you want some help?”or “How did that make you feel?”
• Cook together.
  Measuring, stirring, pouring – these kitchen activities develop fine motor skills, early maths concepts, and listening skills (plus, snacks!).
• Practise everyday tasks they’ll do at school.
  Zipping up their coat, putting on shoes, or washing their hands properly all build confidence and practical independence.
• Establish consistent routines.
  A regular bedtime, a calm morning routine, and consistent meal and snack times help children feel secure and ready to learn.
• Encourage curiosity.
  Answer their “why?” questions with enthusiasm (or Google!), explore nature together, and let them take the lead in play.

Remember you’re not preparing your child to be perfect – you’re helping them feel safe, capable, and excited about school. These little moments can add up to a big, confident leap forward.

What If My Child Has Additional Needs?

Every child deserves to feel confident and included when starting school – including those with additional needs.

At Kids Planet, we work closely with families and professionals to create personalised support plans that celebrate your child for exactly who they are.

You can always speak to:

• Your child’s key person or pre-school room leader
• Our on-site SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
• Your Health Visitor or GP

There’s also brilliant support available through:

• Contact – for families with disabled children
• NDCS – for deaf or hearing-impaired children
• Scope
• National Autistic Society

Frequently Asked Questions

Do they need to read or write before school?
Nope! Reception is designed to teach these. Focus instead on their confidence, communication, and curiosity.

What if my child still naps or isn’t toilet trained?
Totally normal. Speak to your nursery team – we’ll support you every step of the way.

My child gets overwhelmed easily. What can I do?
We’ll help you put gentle strategies in place. Many schools also have fantastic pastoral teams to support emotional wellbeing.

I’m worried about their development. What now?
Talk to your nursery team first. They know your child well and can guide you on the right support, whether that’s within nursery or through a referral.

🌈 Every Journey is Different

School readiness isn’t about being the most prepared, it’s about your child feeling ready, in their own time and in their own way.

At Kids Planet, we’re here to guide and support your little one as they take this exciting next step – building confidence, independence, and curiosity every day!

And your journey with school readiness doesn’t end on the first day of school. Our Holiday Clubs are a great way to keep familiar routines going, build new friendships, and continue developing those key skills – especially during the long summer break! Because learning and growing never stops – and neither does our support. 💛