Your child will experience new routines, people and activities when they start school. Practicing the basics helps them feel secure.

All children develop at their own pace. Practising skills gradually and through play at home helps children feel confident, independent and ready for school life.

Try:

• adding learning into play and daily routines
• introducing skills slowly
• using fun, playful activities
• praising effort (“You tried really hard!”)
• making time for stories and conversations

More support

• 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return (YouTube)
• Nature activities for kids - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Entertaining children on bus journeys - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Maths postcards for families – ECMG
• Six fat sausages - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Getting ready to start school - Book Trust

Some children need more support to settle, early conversations with school will help with this.

Share with the school if your child:

• has suspected or confirmed SEND
• has developmental differences or delays
• is summer‑born
• speaks English as an additional language
• uses strategies that help at home

Schools can:

• use visual timetables
• offer staggered transitions
• provide calm spaces
• work with SEND specialists

Local support

• SEND Local Offer

National support

• Family Lives
• Speech and Language UK
• Dingley's Promise
• Kids Charity

Children learn the skills below gradually and at their own pace.

Growing independence

Such as:

• putting on and taking off coat and shoes
• using the toilet and washing hands
• getting dressed with some help
• using a fork or spoon and open cup
• spending short periods away from caregivers

More support

• How do I make separating from my toddler easier?
• Getting dressed by yourself: How to teach your child - BBC Tiny Happy People

Play, creativity and curiosity

Such as:

• imaginative play
• drawing, painting, sticking
• talking about story characters
• exploring nature

More support

• Role play with toddlers: Playing pretend animals - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Follow your child's interests when playing (YouTube)
• How to play pretend role play with your child - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Drawing fun - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Mark-making

Relationships and communicating

Such as:

• sharing and taking turns
• naming and understanding feelings
• setting simple boundaries

Communication and language

Such as:

• singing songs and rhymes
• talking about their day
• asking for help
• recognising their name pattern

More support

• Learning conversations: 3 to 5 years - Best Start in Life - NHS
• Getting children to tell stories - BBC Tiny Happy People

Listening and engaging

Such as:

• paying attention briefly
• following simple instructions
• trying again when things get tricky

More support

• CBeebies Parenting: Making story time magic
• How Onomatopoeia & Sound Words Help Children's Language Learning - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Talking to your child when you’re out and about
• Make a Cardboard Telescope - BBC Tiny Happy People
• Red Light, Green Light: Activity for 4-year-olds - BBC Tiny Happy People

Physical development

Such as:

• running, climbing, jumping
• catching a large ball
• puzzles, cutting, sticking

More support

• Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years) - NHS
• Healthy Movers Families - Youth Sport Trust
• EYFS – Physical development – Core strength and co-ordination
• The iceberg game: Activity inspiration for pre-schoolers - BBC Tiny Happy People

Healthy routines

Such as:

• consistent bedtimes
• limiting screen time
• balanced diet
• brushing teeth twice daily

More support

• To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more
• Health Professionals for Safer Screens
• Help for early years providers : Internet safety
• Screen time for babies and toddlers: how much?

Healthy habits make a huge difference to how confidently children cope with the transition to school. 

Sleep routines

Good sleep helps children with attention, behaviour, emotional regulation and learning.

Tips:

• most 4 to 6‑year‑olds need 10 and a half to 11 and a half hours of sleep each night
• try a predictable routine each evening e.g. bath, story, quiet time, bed
• avoid screens for at least 1 hour before bedtime as blue light can make it harder to fall asleep
• keep wake‑up and bedtime roughly the same every day

More support

• Sleep in babies and children
• Sleep and young children - NHS
• Baby and toddler bedtime routine: Top tips for parents - BBC Tiny Happy People

Eating well and supporting energy and growth

A balanced diet helps children concentrate and feel their best.

Tips:

• offer three meals and 2 to 3 small snacks a day
• include a mix of fruit, vegetables, protein, dairy (or alternatives), and wholegrains
• many children are fussy eaters at this age, this is very common
• keep offering new foods gently without pressure; small tastes count
• practice lunchbox skills (opening pots, packets, and drink bottles) before September

More support

• Healthy eating
• Lunchbox ideas and recipes – Healthier Families - NHS
• The Eating Badge: How can I help my child make healthy food choices? - BBC
• What makes a great kid's packed lunch? - BBC Food
• Help for early years providers : Nutrition
• Healthier Families - NHS
• Five tips for helping your kids to eat healthily all year round - BBC Bitesize
• Eating Well resources — First Steps Nutrition Trust
• Healthy eating for children

Healthy teeth

Information about your child's oral health:

• brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (1350–1500 ppm fluoride)
• help or supervise brushing until age 7.
• water and milk are the best drinks; keep juice and sugary drinks to a minimum
• NHS dental care is free for children, and regular check‑ups are important, see: Find a dentist - NHS

More support

• Look after your teeth
• Brushing kids' teeth and taking children to the dentist - BBC Tiny Happy People
• The Children's Toothbrushing Guide - Starting Reception

Movement and outdoor play

Active play builds strength, balance, coordination, supports emotional wellbeing and helps to develop physical confidence.

• children aged 3 to 5 benefit from at least 3 hours of movement spread across the day
• mix energetic play (running, climbing, dancing) with calmer fine‑motor play (puzzles, threading, drawing)
• outdoor play supports sleep, resilience, risk‑taking skills and curiosity
• Worcestershire has many green spaces ideal for low‑cost activity

More support

• What's on and things to do
• Country parks, picnic places and nature reserves

You can find support at Well Child clinics which take place at Family Hubs and locations across Worcestershire. They are open to families with children under the age of 5:

• Well Child clinics in Worcestershire

Health visitors can support you through the early years of your child's life, where necessary. Including advice around:

• sleep
• development
• toilet training
• growth
• feeding and starting solid foods

To book onto the Well Child clinics:

• phone: 01905 520032

Remember to bring your baby's record book with you to each appointment. 

If you prefer to speak to a health visitor over the phone, you can call the Telephone Advisory Service (TAS) on:

• phone: 01905 520032

The service is available Monday to Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm.

For more information, see:

• Support from your health visitors

About School Screener

School Screener is the secure online system used to carry out reception health screening. It helps schools to:

• share important health messages with you
• collect your child’s health information safely
• monitor your child’s health as they grow

All information is handled in line with NHS privacy, data protection and accessibility standards.

Completing the questionnaire

Around mid‑September, you will receive a letter from the School Health Nursing Team.

This letter includes a personal link that allows you to set up your Parent Portal account. You can complete the questionnaire using any phone, tablet or computer.

Parent Portal

The Parent Portal allows you to:

• fill in your child’s online health questionnaire
• receive instant messages or advice from our team
• view your child’s results letters quickly and easily

Do I have to take part?

Taking part is your choice.

If you prefer not to be involved, you do not need to do anything.

If the questionnaire is not completed, we will understand that you have chosen not to take part in the Reception Health Screening Programme.

More information

• School health screening

Attendance

Find out about school attendance here:

• Attendance information for parents and carers
• Children and young people in settings: Exclusion table - when and how long you should stay off with illnesses - GOV.UK

Vaccinations

Children should be up to date with:

• MMR
• pre‑school booster
• flu vaccine (offered in school)

Keep your child home if they have:

• fever
• vomiting and diarrhoea (48 hours)
• are too unwell to participate

They can usually attend with:

• mild cold
• cough
• minor tiredness

More information

• Immunisations and vaccinations

Starting school often means gathering a few things, but it doesn’t need to be expensive. Your school will provide you with further details.

What your child needs:

• uniform or school‑coloured clothing
• school shoes or sturdy trainers
• water bottle
• book bag
• coat
• PE kit
• spare clothes in first weeks

Uniform exchanges and community support:

• school‑run exchanges
• community uniform banks
• Facebook parent groups
• charity shops

Find more support here: 

• Cost of living support

Eating skills that help your child get ready for school

In reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children will be provided a free hot school meal every day.

Supporting your child to build simple eating skills can make school lunchtimes much easier and more enjoyable. You can help by practicing:

• using a knife and fork - encourage steady hand position, small movements, and starting with softer foods, sitting well at a table with feet supported helps children learn cutlery control
• eating at a table - this helps children focus on their food, copy others, and learn social mealtime routines, good posture and a stable surface (chair, table, or booster) make eating easier and safer
• minimising screens during meals - screens can distract children from learning how to eat, chew and use cutlery, and they reduce the social experience of eating together
• practicing at relaxed times - outside mealtimes you can try role‑play with teddies, playdough cutting, or pretend picnics to build confidence
• using child‑sized cutlery - small, easy‑grip handles help children hold a fork or knife correctly and develop better control

Encouraging these early routines helps children feel more confident at lunchtime, enjoy eating with friends, and reduces mealtime stress for both families and school staff.

More support

• Free school meals for Years 0 to 2
• When should my child be able to write their name?

Understanding Your Child is a free online course for parents and carers in Worcestershire. It uses simple ideas to help you understand how your child feels, behaves and learns.

This course can help you:

• understand your child’s feelings and behaviour
• support your child to manage big emotions
• build calm routines for mornings and bedtimes
• strengthen communication and relationships
• learn quick, everyday tips that make family life easier

You can do it on your phone, tablet, or computer, at your own pace.

How to access

Go to:

• Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager - Togetherness
• use the access code: ParentsRock