New Year, Is Your Child Ready for School?

The start of a new year often brings a familiar question for parents of young children:

Is my child ready for school?

January can feel like a moment of pressure. Conversations about Reception places, expectations, and preparation start to surface, and many families worry that their child should already be reading, writing, or completing worksheets.

The reality is far more reassuring.

School readiness is not about academic performance. It is about strong foundations that enable children to settle in, feel safe, and engage confidently in learning when they arrive at school.

What School Readiness Is Not About

It is very common for parents to worry that their child needs to be able to:

• Read fluently

• Write full sentences

• Count confidently to 20 or beyond

• Complete structured academic tasks

  
  

While these skills will develop in time, they are not prerequisites for starting school. Focusing too early on academic outcomes can sometimes create unnecessary pressure for children and families.

School readiness is built on something more profound: emotional security, independence, communication, and a positive approach to learning.

Emotional Readiness

A child is emotionally ready for school when they can:

• Separate from a caregiver with growing confidence

• Recognise and name big feelings

• Begin to manage those feelings with adult support

• Ask for help when they need it

  
  

These skills allow children to feel safe in a new environment. Emotional readiness supports resilience, well-being, and the ability to form relationships with adults and peers in school.

Social Readiness

Social readiness helps children navigate the shared experience of school. This includes the ability to:

• Take turns

• Play alongside others

• Listen to adults and peers

• Follow simple routines

  
  

These skills develop gradually through everyday interactions, play, and gentle guidance. They are far more critical for settling into school life than early academic knowledge.

Independence

Independence supports confidence and self-esteem in the classroom. Children are ready for school when they can:

• Use the toilet

• Eat independently

• Tidy up after activities

• Manage their coat and shoes

• Have a go before asking for help

  
  

These small acts of independence help children feel capable and secure in a busy school environment.

Communication

Strong communication underpins learning and relationships. School readiness includes the ability to:

• Express needs and preferences

• Enjoy stories and conversations

• Ask questions about things that interest them

• Understand simple instructions

  
  

Language develops through rich conversation, shared reading, and meaningful interaction, not through formal worksheets.

Learning Behaviours

Perhaps one of the most critical aspects of school readiness is a child’s approach to learning. This includes the ability to:

• Show curiosity

• Focus for short periods of time

• Show resilience when things feel tricky

• Feel confident enough to have a go

These behaviours create the foundation for all future learning.

The Good News

All of these skills develop naturally through:

• Play

• Conversation

• Consistent routines

• Supportive adults

  
  

Not worksheets.

Children learn best when they feel safe, understood, and encouraged. Everyday experiences at home provide powerful opportunities to build school readiness without pressure.

Supporting Your Child

Every child develops at their own pace, and readiness does not look the same for everyone. If you are unsure where your child is in their development, support and guidance can make a meaningful difference.

I support families in building confident, secure early-year foundations that prepare children not just to start school but to thrive in it.

If you would like practical guidance or reassurance, please get in touch or explore additional resources.