Preparing to Start Primary School

Starting school is an exciting time for you and your child.

It is also a time of big change for all the family.

A little help from you will prepare and encourage your child to be ready for school.

They will enjoy learning and making new friends.

Here are some links to tips and advice to help you support your child as they move up to primary school. The more prepared they are, the easier they will find school:

Barnado's Family Space have pages on both Preparing for Pre-school and Starting School. They both have information on what to expect at pre-school and primary school, and the different skills that you can encourage your child to develop before they start. The more independence your child has when they start, the less they will have to rely on an adult. At primary school, the ratio of adults to children is less than at nursery and it is important that all children start to give things a go on their own, such as: dressing, using the toilet and eating with cutlery at a table. 

The Publishers Penguin have a good article on Starting School. This article was written with advice from a primary school teacher. It also has links to other similar articles and to books that may help with the transition to primary school.

Parentkind.org.uk supports families, schools and Parent Teacher Associations (PTA). On the website, they have a lot of resources and links to help support your child be ready for school.