Starting school is a huge milestone — for children and parents alike. Somewhere between the excitement and the pride, it’s completely normal to feel a flicker of nerves too: “Are we really ready for this?”
As both a mum who’s been through this more than once and a teacher who has supported countless children through their first days at school, here’s what I can tell you: preparation isn’t about getting everything perfect. It’s about helping your child feel confident, secure, and ready for this next step.
There’s so much to think about when preparing your child for starting school, and in the rush it’s easy to overlook the small things that actually make the biggest difference. If you’re wondering how to prepare your child for starting school, these five simple but practical things can help make the transition smoother for everyone.
What you’ll find in this post
- The 5 practical things that genuinely help children settle in
- Simple ways to practise each one at home
- What a mum & teacher wishes every parent knew
- Honest answers to the questions parents ask most
First: help your child feel ready, not just be ready
A lot of nerves about starting school — in children and parents — come from the unknown. Children hear about “big school” for months, but often have no real picture of what it looks, sounds, or feels like. That uncertainty is what makes it feel daunting.
These simple steps can make an enormous difference before term even starts:
Talk about school positively and often
Look at photos of the school online or in the prospectus
Walk past the school together before term begins
Start practising morning routines before the first day
5 things
What to do before the first day
From labelling uniforms to talking through the school day — five small, practical steps that build real confidence before term begins.
1
one
Name everything before school starts
If it moves, label it. Jumpers, shoes, water bottles, lunch boxes, PE kits and even socks have a habit of going missing at school. Our eldest once came home with only one shoe — more than once — so trust me when I say labelling everything is worth the effort.
- Use sticker labels for shoes, lunch boxes and bottles, and iron-on or sew-in labels for uniform and jumpers
- Don’t forget the inside of coats, hats, gloves and scarves
- Get your child involved — recognising their own name builds confidence and independence
2
two
Let your child practise wearing their school uniform
Trying on the school uniform before the first day helps turn something new into something familiar. It also gives you time to spot any issues before the morning rush begins, and lets your child practise dressing themselves in a calm environment at home.
- Check everything fits comfortably before term starts
- Encourage your child to lay out their uniform and use a mirror to check themselves
- Practise buttons, zips and tights together, without rushing
3
three
Decide on lunches early and practise at home
Deciding whether your child will have school dinners, packed lunches, or a mix of both is one of those small decisions that’s easy to put off — but making it early helps avoid last-minute stress once term starts.
- Talk through the dinner menu or booking system together, if relevant
- Practise opening the lunch box and any containers at home first
- Batch cook freezer-friendly options like mini quiches or veggie bites for busy weeks
4
four
Break in school shoes before the first day
New school shoes often need time to soften. Letting your child wear them around the house or on short outings before term starts can prevent sore feet and blisters during those first, tiring weeks.
- Wear new shoes around the house for short periods before term starts
- Practise identifying left and right feet together
- Check socks fit well and don’t bunch up, as this can make even good shoes uncomfortable
5
five
Talk through what school will be like
One of the most important things you can do is help your child know what to expect. Children feel more secure when things feel familiar — so practise the route to school together and talk through drop-off and pick-up routines, including who will be there and when.
- Walk or drive the route to school together at the time you’ll actually be leaving
- Look at photos of the school online or in the prospectus
- Talk openly about feelings, and let your child know it’s okay to feel however they feel
Every child settles in their own time — and that’s okay.
Some children run in happily from day one. Others need a little longer. Both are completely normal. What matters most is that your child feels supported and understood, not that everything goes perfectly.
Preparing your child for starting school doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. By focusing on a few practical steps, you’re giving your child a strong, reassuring start — and you’re doing a great job, even when it doesn’t always feel like it.
