Managing the Transition from Nursery to School

The transition to school from nursery can be a stressful time for both children and parents. So here are some top tips to ensure your child is ‘school ready’ and how to make this transition a smooth, happy and effective one.

What does being "school ready" mean?

• Having strong social skills
• Can cope emotionally with being separated from their parents
• Are relatively independent in their own personal care
• Have a curiosity about the world and a desire to learn

What you can do:

• Plan visits to the school ahead of time – more than once if possible
• Be positive, talk about starting school with your child
• ​Get "starting school" storybooks from the library and read them to your child
• Practise the school run, the route you will take
• Develop your child’s independence with dressing and toileting
• Relax as much as possible
• ​Understand that the transition can take some time

Click here for more advice on Starting Primary School