What School Readiness Really Means
It’s not about ticking boxes - it’s about building confidence, independence and curiosity for what comes next.
Starting school is a big step, and it’s natural for parents to wonder if their child is “ready”. But school readiness isn’t just about knowing letters or numbers. It’s about helping your child feel secure, capable and curious as they begin their next adventure. At Step Start, we believe in preparing children in a whole-child way - building the skills, routines and emotional resilience they’ll need to thrive.
So, what is school readiness?
School readiness means your child can:
- Separate from their caregiver with confidence
- Follow simple instructions
- Share, take turns and build friendships
- Communicate their needs and feelings
- Manage basic self-care like dressing, toileting or washing hands
- Show curiosity, focus and a willingness to try new things
It’s about supporting their emotional, social and practical development - not pushing them into formal learning before they’re ready.
How Step Start supports school readiness:
We’ve developed a dedicated school readiness programme, designed by an experienced Early Years teacher, to gently prepare children throughout their final year at nursery. It runs over 48 weeks and focuses on both children and parents.
Here’s what it includes:
- Confidence building: encouraging independence through daily routines
- Emotional resilience: learning how to manage feelings and transitions
- Phonics & early literacy: introduced in a playful, age-appropriate way
- Maths through play: exploring numbers, patterns and problem solving
- Self-care routines: dressing, toileting and mealtime independence
- Circle time & listening skills: preparing for group learning
- Teacher handovers: meetings with Reception teachers to support transitions
- Parent support packs: resources, ideas and activities for home
- Transition booklets: helping children visualise and talk about their new school
We also host parent meetings to set goals and work together through the transition period because your journey is part of theirs.
How you can support school readiness at home:
- Encourage independence (let them pour, dress, pack their bag)
- Talk about school in a positive, relaxed way
- Practise routines like putting on shoes or opening lunchboxes
- Read together and talk about books
- Celebrate effort, not perfection
They’re more ready than you think
Starting school is a big step, but with the right support, your child will walk through that door feeling confident and capable. At Step Start, we’re here to make sure they (and you, of course!) are ready for the next chapter.