Starting Reception is an exciting milestone. There are lots of simple things you can do at home to help your child feel happy, confident and increasingly independent as they get ready for school.
 

Every child develops at their own pace. The ideas below are skills to practise and encourage together, they are not things your child must be able to do before they start Reception.
 

You can support your child by encouraging them to:

• Become more independent – putting on their coat and shoes, using the toilet, washing their hands and eating independently.

• Play and explore – enjoying imaginative play, drawing, colouring, crafts, stories and exploring the world around them.

• Build relationships – sharing, taking turns, talking about feelings and beginning to understand how others feel.

• Communicate and listen – enjoying songs and rhymes, talking about their experiences, asking for help and following simple instructions.

• Be active – running, jumping, climbing, playing with a ball and developing fine-motor skills through puzzles and crafts.

• Develop healthy routines – having a regular bedtime, eating a varied diet, brushing their teeth twice a day and having a healthy balance of screen time and active play.

​

Additional support

Some children may need additional support as they prepare to start Reception. If your child has SEND, additional needs or developmental differences, or if there is anything you would like to discuss with us, please get in touch. Sharing information with us before your child starts helps us get to know them, understand their individual needs and put the right support in place. This helps us make their transition into school as positive and successful as possible.

Useful Links​​
The links below provide further information, practical advice and resources to help you and your child prepare for starting Reception.