Starting school is a major milestone in a child’s life and a big step for parents, too. It marks the beginning of a new routine, social interactions, and structured learning. But knowing whether your child is truly ready can bring up a lot of questions and uncertainty. How to know if your child is ready for school? It’s not just about age; readiness depends on a combination of emotional, social, and developmental factors. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key signs to look for, so you can feel confident about your child’s transition into this exciting new chapter.
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How to Prepare Your Child for School?
If your child is moving to “Big School” next year, it’s an exciting time—but it can also raise a lot of questions. It’s almost time to enrol them, and like many parents, you might find yourself wondering if your child is truly ready to make this big leap. Starting school is about more than just turning a certain age—it’s a major milestone that depends on emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development.
How to know if your child is ready for school? It can be tricky to determine, especially since readiness looks different for every child. That’s why we’ve gathered expert advice and practical ideas to help you make an informed decision and support your child through a smooth transition to school life.
Understanding The Legal Age and Flexibility
While there are many opinions about the ideal age for starting school, it’s important to know that the legal requirements vary by state in Australia. In general, children must start school by a certain age, but parents often have some flexibility in choosing when to enrol them.
In most states and territories, children can begin school in the year they turn five, as long as they celebrate their fifth birthday before a certain cutoff date (often April 30 or June 30). However, many parents choose to wait until their child is closer to six, especially if they feel their child may benefit from extra time to grow emotionally or socially.
Don’t be afraid to explore your options and speak with early childhood educators. They can provide insight into whether your child is developmentally ready or may thrive with an extra year at home or in preschool.
1. Talk to Your Child
A great place to begin preparing your child for school is simply by talking about it. Help them visualise what their school day will look like—this helps demystify the experience and makes it less intimidating.
Many schools offer orientation sessions or pre-visits. These are golden opportunities. Walk around the school together, meet the teacher, and visit the classroom. Afterwards, talk with your child about what they saw, how they felt, and what they can expect. This helps them build a mental picture of what school is like and gives them a chance to address any fears or excitement they express.
It’s also helpful to discuss practical things like the journey to school, what goes into a school bag, and the basics of a school routine. The more your child mentally rehearses these scenarios, the more confident they’ll feel when the big day arrives.
2. Get Things Ready for Your Child
For many kids, having the “right” gear can make a big difference in how confident and excited they feel about starting school. Involve them in the process of gathering school supplies: lunch boxes, drink bottles, hats, backpacks, and even pencil cases.
Make it fun! Draw pictures of each item on a checklist or create a scavenger hunt around the house to collect things they’ll need. Planning a shopping trip together to buy school items builds anticipation and ownership over the experience.
Don’t forget to label everything with your child’s name. This not only helps prevent lost items but also fosters a sense of independence. Your child will feel more capable when they can recognise and manage their belongings.
Beyond materials, prepare your child emotionally for what’s ahead. Talk about the types of people they’ll meet—other children, different teachers, and staff—and how each person plays a role in their day. Discuss how people can look different, have different interests, or come from different cultures, and why that’s something to celebrate. This can foster openness, empathy, and a sense of belonging before they even walk through the school gates.
3. Look Out for Social Skills
One of the biggest changes children face when they start school is navigating a much bigger social world. Making friends, sharing, cooperating, and resolving minor conflicts are key skills they’ll use daily.
Observe how your child interacts with other children. Are they able to introduce themselves? Can they ask to join in a game? Do they share toys or take turns? These small behaviours are foundational for positive social interactions in the classroom and playground.
If your child is shy or struggles in group settings, that’s okay. Many children feel this way at first. Support them by practising different scenarios—like saying hello, joining in, or asking others to play. Role-play can be a powerful way to rehearse social situations in a safe space.
During the summer, try to arrange playdates or take them to the local park, library story time, or group classes where they can interact with other kids. These settings provide natural opportunities to build social confidence in a low-pressure environment.
4. Establish Good Routines
A solid daily routine helps children feel secure and prepares them for the structure of school life. During the holidays, begin shifting towards a school-friendly schedule.
Bedtime routines are particularly important. A well-rested child is better able to learn, regulate emotions, and enjoy their day. Try to ensure your child gets the recommended amount of sleep for their age—typically 10–12 hours for preschool-aged kids.
Wind-down routines should include quiet time, a bath, brushing teeth, a bedtime story, and a short chat about their day. This consistency not only helps with sleep but also encourages reflection and emotional processing—skills they’ll use every day at school.
It’s also helpful to introduce morning routines that mirror a school day. Get your child used to waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing their teeth, and packing their bag. The more these habits become second nature, the easier the first week of school will feel.
You might also like to use a visual calendar or countdown chart to mark the days until school starts. It helps children mentally prepare for the big change ahead.
5. Practice Key Independence Skills
Independence is a huge part of school readiness. Teachers simply can’t help every child with every little thing, so being able to manage basic tasks is important for confidence and smooth transitions.
Here are some skills your child should ideally be practising before school starts:
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Putting on and taking off their shoes
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Using the toilet independently (including wiping and washing hands)
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Opening and closing their lunchbox and drink bottle
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Putting on jackets or hats
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Packing and unpacking their school bag
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Recognising their name on labels
You can support your child by turning these skills into fun challenges or games. For example, make a “shoe-tying race” or a “lunchbox opening challenge.” Praise their efforts often and focus on progress, not perfection.
It’s also helpful to model problem-solving. Instead of jumping in every time your child struggles, try asking, “What do you think you could do?” or “Let’s figure it out together.” This encourages resilience and a sense of capability.
6. Practice Everyday Manners and Behaviour
Simple social manners go a long way in helping your child feel accepted and confident at school. Saying “please” and “thank you,” waiting their turn, and listening when others speak are all behaviours that teachers appreciate and peers respond to.
During meals, practise sitting still, using utensils properly, and cleaning up afterwards. Encourage your child to stay seated until everyone is finished, which mirrors the lunchroom environment.
Encourage your child to greet adults respectfully, follow simple instructions, and participate in group settings. Reading books that model classroom behaviour (like “Starting School” by Jane Godwin or “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn) can also help your child understand what’s expected.
Praise good behaviour frequently, and remind your child that these are the same skills their teacher will be looking for when school begins.
7. Questions to Ask Yourself
Still wondering if your child is ready? Consider the following questions across several categories:
Social & Emotional Development
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Can they separate from you without becoming overly distressed?
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Are they curious and willing to try new activities?
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Can they manage their emotions most of the time?
Communication Skills
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Can they express their needs clearly to adults?
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Are they able to follow two-step directions?
Self-Care & Independence
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Can they go to the toilet on their own?
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Can they dress themselves with minimal help?
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Do they know how to take care of their belongings?
Cognitive Readiness
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Are they interested in books, letters, or numbers?
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Can they focus on a task for a short period (5–10 minutes)?
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Do they enjoy solving problems or puzzles?
If your child isn’t strong in every area, don’t panic. Children grow rapidly during the preschool years, and many will catch up naturally. What’s most important is your willingness to support and guide them through the transition.
8. How to Prepare Your Child for School Emotionally
Starting school is exciting, but also a big change emotionally. Help your child understand that it’s okay to feel nervous, excited, or even scared. Talk about how you felt on your first day of school. This normalises their emotions and opens space for them to share.
Let them know it’s okay to ask for help—from their teacher, a friend, or even you at the end of the day. Having a consistent goodbye ritual in the mornings, like a special hug or phrase, can also ease separation anxiety.
Books and stories about starting school can be very reassuring. Look for ones that include both the fun parts and the challenges so your child gets a realistic and balanced picture.
Final Thoughts
Starting school is a major milestone, and every child will approach it in their own time and in their way. Some children will race through the gates with excitement, while others may need a bit more encouragement and time to adjust.
By focusing on key readiness skills, establishing routines, and emotionally preparing your child, you’re laying the foundation for a happy, confident start to school life.
If you’re ever in doubt, talk to your child’s preschool teacher or early learning educator. They know your child well and can offer guidance tailored to your situation.
And remember, being “ready” doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being prepared to grow, learn, and take on new experiences one small step at a time.
