Starting School

Settling your child into school for the first time can be an exciting, yet sometimes difficult time, for both parent and child.

Your child may experience mixed emotions, seemingly happy, but suddenly feel overwhelmed about being separated from you. Undoubtedly, when your child is upset, you will be too.

To overcome and reduce emotionally trying situations it is important to prepare your child for their transition to school.

Strategies to develop social and emotional skills before your child starts school:

Enroll your child in a weekly playgroup, during their early years, before starting school. Playgroups provide great opportunities for children to socialise and have fun with other children their age.
Attend local singing and rhyme time groups at your library to support communication skills and early socialization. These are an invaluable tool in preparing your child for school.
Provide your child with opportunities to stay with family and friends for short amounts of time. This will help them adapt to being left with other caring and trustworthy adults, allowing them to cope better with separation from you, when they start school.

Strategies to prepare your child for their first day of school:

Select your child's school carefully. Check recent inspection reports and the school prospectus. Request a tour of the school. Remember, once your child starts school they may remain at this school for the rest of their primary education. Take time to visit a few local primary schools to make sure you are happy with your choice.
If you are invited for a visit or an open day, set aside time to attend. These visits are invaluable in gaining an insight into the school, staff and facilities.
During the visit explore the school setting, with your child, encouraging them to interact with children and staff.
Take the opportunity to meet the class teacher, so you are familiar with your key contact at the school.
Ensure your child knows where the cloakroom and toilets. This will make their first day easier.
Take your child to any future introductory sessions at the school.
Request an additional visit to the school, if your child was overanxious or upset to participate during their first visit.
Take photos of the school environment, as this will help prepare and familiarises your child with the school. Involve your child in taking the photos. Children often find it hard to return to school following school holidays. Photos can be used to support your child with transitions. As a courtesy, remember to seek permission from the school prior to taking photos.
Use the school website to gather and share information about the school environment, staff, uniforms and routines with your child.
Find out about the school routines so you can help your child to adapt to these. Many schools set aside time for a healthy snack, such as fruit or milk, so you may want to introduce this into your child’s daily routine at home.
If the school has an outdoor play area with tricycles or scooters, you could prepare your child by teaching them to ride a tricycle and scooter. Helping your child with what may seem like a small skill, can make an enormous difference to how they settle into school and their self- esteem.
Always share any of your concerns with staff, more often than not, they will be pleased to help you.
Explain to your child that the staff in the school are there to teach and care for them. Make sure your child understands the reasons why you are sending them to school.
Provide your child with opportunities to mix with other children outside of school. This could include one or two children from their class, as this will undoubtedly aid friendship building.
Involve your child in selecting their school uniform. Encourage your child to choose their own school supplies and label them with personalised labels. This will involve them in school preparation, building enthusiasm for starting school.
Always collect your child on time and avoid being late as this can undermine your child’s trust in you, resulting in them being anxious about being left at school. Your child will find it hard waiting to be collected from school, especially when they initially start. Aim to arrive a few minutes earlier if you can.