- Read together every day - Look at the pictures, talk about the story and ask open questions (“what do you think will happen next?”). Encourage storytelling about their day or recent experiences.
- Songs and rhymes - Singing nursery rhymes and action songs boosts memory, rhythm and language.
- Chat during routines - Talk about what you’re doing while cooking, shopping or walking. Encourage conversations, giving them time to answer and extend their answers with extra words.
- Expressing needs - Model asking for help or expressing needs, like requesting a drink or saying they feel unwell.
- Listening games - Play games like “Simon says”, “I spy” or sound-matching games to improve attention.
Starting school is a big step for every child, but helping your child prepare for Reception can be a joyful and rewarding experience. It’s exciting but can also feel overwhelming – especially for looked after children who may have experienced change or loss. This guide is designed to help parents and carers prepare, support and settle their children into school life.
Practising skills at home
Doing things at home with your child will actively support their development in the three prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage:
- Communication and Language
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
Every child develops at their own pace, and that’s perfectly okay. Some may use signs or symbols to communicate or have different self-care needs. If your child needs extra support, speak with their educators — they’re there to help.
Below are things that you can do to support your child develop in each of these areas, thus preparing them for starting school:
- Practice separating - Short, positive goodbyes at nursery, clubs or with trusted adults, reminding them that you will be coming back.
- Talk about feelings - Use books, puppets, or emojis to name emotions and how to manage them. Talk through different scenarios and how they might make them feel. To manage frustration, use calming techniques like deep breathing or squeezing a stress ball or guide them to develop their own.
- Sharing and turn-taking - Play simple board games or role-play scenarios.
- Confidence-building - Praise small successes, e.g. “you put your shoes on all by yourself!”
- Making choices - Offer limited options e.g. “would you like the blue or red cup?”
- Focus and perseverance - Offer short, age-appropriate activities that require focus, like reading or simple games. Share how you handle challenges and encourage your child to keep trying.
- Establish routines - Set consistent times for things like bedtime, wake-up and mealtimes, allowing your child to feel safe, secure and confident. A bedtime story can ease the transition to sleep.
- Dressing practice - Encourage your child to put on their own coat, shoes (ideally Velcro as easy to manage), jumpers and zips.
- Toileting independence - Schools often have child-sized toilets; at home, a child seat may help. Practice wiping, flushing and washing hands with soap and drying afterwards.
- Eating skills - Introduce cutlery, open lunch boxes, drink from cups and peel fruit. Sit together at the table and model how to use them.
- Keep active - Encourage your child to be active through movement to suit their abilities – jumping, climbing, running, ball games, stretching etc. Limit screen time to allow for more active play and social interaction.
- Fine motor skills - Encourage activities like colouring, drawing, “writing” their name, threading beads, playdough, Lego and using scissors safely to build fine motor skills and strengthen hand control.
- Uniform and belongings - Label everything clearly, including jumpers, shoes and water bottles.
- Routines - Introduce a school-like routine a few weeks before they start, including set bedtime and wake-up times. Practice getting ready in the morning, eating breakfast and leaving the house on time.
- Visits and familiarity - Attend school “stay and play” or transition sessions if possible. Drive to or walk past the school together so that it feels familiar.
- Positive conversations - Encourage conversations about school and promote positivity, while reassuring your child that it’s okay to feel nervous.
- Be consistent - Stick to drop-off and pick-up routines and keep goodbyes short and reassuring.
- Emotional support - Expect tiredness and wobbliness – Reception is a big adjustment. Praise small achievements and welcome open and honest conversations. If helpful, make sure comfort items (a teddy, photo keyring, worry stone etc) are allowed.
- Stay connected - Use the school’s communication systems and ask the teacher how your child is settling in, including whether they have noticed any worries. If a child is looked after, make sure you are aware of who the Designated Teacher for children in care is and share useful information so that staff understand your child’s needs.
- Positive relationships - Encourage friendships by arranging small, supported playdates, if appropriate. Reinforce that school is a safe, fun place where adults will look after them.
- Reading - Share a book every day. This helps with bonding and early literacy.
- Play-based learning - Build with blocks, match and count, role-play scenarios and play outside.
- Talk, talk, talk - Continue to narrate daily activities, ask open questions and listen carefully to their answers.