How to prepare your child for school: A Guide to Early Learning Success

1. Focus on Building Independence

Fostering a sense of independence in your child can significantly boost their confidence and security, especially in a new school environment. Encourage them to take on simple tasks, such as dressing themselves, tidying up after playtime, and learning to tie their shoes. Independence not only forms confidence but also helps foster problem-solving skills and resilience. By providing children with opportunities to make choices and take responsibility for small tasks, you empower them to build the skills they need to thrive in school. These are the very skills we focus on nurturing at Oz Education early learning centres.

2. Establish a Routine

Preschoolers will thrive on a new routine establishing a consistent daily schedule that will continue into the start of the school year to help them feel secure and prepared. By setting regular wake-up times, meal and bedtime routines that you would carry out prior to starting school will reduce any additional stress of adjusting to a new routine. For example, at Oz Education, our early learning programs incorporate regular structured activities such as play-based learning and rest periods to ensure that children become familiar with a school-like environment. This prepares them for the structure and expectations they will encounter when they enter school.

3. Encourage Social Skills Development

When your child enters school they will begin to encounter a lot of new personalities and faces. School is not just about academics but also about building new friendships. You can encourage your child to engage with others more through participation in group play, sharing and practising clear communication. Learning to take turns and express feelings are the first steps your child can take to feel more confident within a new school environment. At Oz Education, we begin to introduce these experiences to preschoolers in our preschool program through group play within an inclusive and supportive environment to help them feel comfortable within social situations they may experience whilst at school

4. Foster a Love for Learning

When children find learning enjoyable they will be more inclined to participate in various learning experiences that school will provide them. Creating a positive attitude toward learning is one of the best ways you can do this. You can encourage curiosity by introducing your child to new and exciting activities engaging their interests. Reading books, exploring nature and playing educational games are all great ideas of ways to start developing your child’s cognitive skills and begin to foster a lifelong love of learning. Lots of early learning programs can also boost critical thinking and creativity to help children develop a genuine excitement for learning. This is what we nurture in our early learning programs with our rich curriculum at Oz Education.

5. Prepare Academically

Whilst school isn’t entirely academics focused, by familiarising your child with simple numeracy, literacy and problem-solving concepts, they can feel more equipped within the classroom, easing the transition into school. Activities promoting counting, recognising letters and identifying shapes and colours are all fun playful learning activities that can help build school readiness. At Oz Education, we introduce our preschoolers to interactive learning resources including MathSeeds and ReadingEggs which help prepare them for formal numeracy and literacy activities through a play-based method. Such programs and tools are great for guiding preschoolers.

6. Visit the School

Visiting the school with your child can significantly ease their transition into this new environment. Explore the school grounds together to familiarize them with the layout, which can alleviate anxiety. Introduce yourself to their teacher if possible, so your child sees that teachers are there to support them. Additionally, consider attending the Transition to School Info Night hosted by Oz Education, where you can meet teachers and gather valuable information.

Some of our early learning centres also offer ‘big school’ visits, allowing children to meet future teachers, learn important school rules, and tour classrooms and playgrounds.

7. Week before Starting School:

1. Have uniforms, lunch boxes, bags, and stationery ready, labelled with your child’s name.
2. Ensure the uniform and shoes fit by trying them on before the first day
3. Provide a compulsory hat for sun protection.
4. Choose a comfortable backpack with adjustable straps.
5. Select a lunch box and drink bottle with easy-to-open lids; allow your child to practice using them.
6. Pack healthy food for recess and lunch, plus water, and check the school’s food policies.
7. Confirm if additional items like an art smock or library bag are needed.

Starting school is a significant milestone for both children and parents. By focusing on building independence, establishing routines, nurturing social skills, fostering a love of learning, supporting emotional resilience, and preparing academically, you can help your child make a smooth transition into school life. 

Need a bit of Help?

At Oz Education, we understand the range of emotions from joy to uncertainty that comes within the early days of motherhood. That is why we are committed to supporting both yourself and your new family through this transformative phase. With expertise and a nurturing approach we are here to provide guidance, answering questions and providing early infant child care focused on fostering little ones through their many learning and developmental milestones. Feel free to visit our Early Learning Centres by booking a tour with us to explore further care and support options through this exciting time.Here at Oz Education we understand that this transition can be one that is exciting and new and are here to support you every step of the way. If you are interested in our Early Learning and Preschool programs or want to find out more of who we are feel free to contact us at 1300 088 520 or book a tour today.