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The Big Leap: 10 Essentials for School Readiness

  • Writer: Nursery Days
    Nursery Days
  • Mar 27
  • 3 min read

Moving on from Nursery Days to "Big School" is a monumental chapter! We want to ensure our children feel confident as they walk through those new gates. Here is our top 10 checklist for a smooth transition:


  1. Independent Dressing 👕

Encourage your child to practise putting on their own coat and doing up the zip. In a class of 30, being able to manage a jumper or change for PE independently is a massive confidence booster!

  1. Mastering the Toilet 🚽

By the time school starts, children should ideally use the toilet independently and remember to wash their hands properly with soap. It’s all about building those self-care habits early.


  1. The Lunchbox Challenge 🍱

Practise opening lunchboxes and unscrewing water bottles at home. There’s nothing more frustrating for a hungry child than a stubborn Tupperware lid! Let them get used to the mechanics of their "big school" kit now.


  1. Playing Fair & Sharing 🤝

School is a social whirlwind. Practising turn-taking during board games or sharing toys during playdates helps them navigate the playground politics they’ll encounter in Reception.


  1. Listening & Following Instructions 👂

Can your child follow a simple two-step instruction, like "Put your shoes away and then come to the table"? Developing these "listening ears" helps them follow a teacher’s guidance in a busy classroom.


  1. Recognising Their Name 🏷️

They don’t need to write it perfectly yet, but being able to spot their name on a coat peg or a drawer is incredibly helpful for staying organised in a new environment.


  1. Fine Motor Fun ✍️

Strengthening little hand muscles is key. Activities like playdough, threading beads, or using safety scissors help prepare them for the pencil grip they’ll be perfecting in their first term.

  1. Speaking Up 💬

Encourage your child to express their needs clearly—whether they need the toilet or are unsure of what to do. Having the confidence to ask an adult for help is a vital survival skill!


  1. Managing Big Emotions 🌈

Starting school is emotional. Talk about the change openly and help them find words for their feelings. Practising a "brave goodbye" at the nursery gate now makes that first school morning much easier.


  1. A Spark of Curiosity 💡

The best thing they can bring to school is a love for learning. Read stories together, ask "why" questions about the world, and keep that natural curiosity alive and well!




How we support our children:

At Nursery Days, we try and prepare all our children for success at school by doing things a little differently. Our ambitious, experience-rich curriculum includes a school readiness programme led by a qualified teacher, focusing on phonics and early maths. We build physical confidence through our enhanced provision clubs such as Carpentry Club, where children use real tools to learn safety and teamwork. By spending time in our four-acre orchard Forest School and caring for our resident ducks and hens, our children develop the resilience and inquisitive nature needed to thrive in their next educational adventure.


About Us:

We are vastly experienced and knowledgeable after years of early years practice as a team. We know that choosing a nursery is a big decision and understand what is important to parents and children. We are aware of the demands and pressures parents have in their lives and so offer many different flexible sessions to suit our individual parents needs. From funded or self funding places to vouchers from work, we will always try to work out what will work best with you.


Visit Our Website at: www.nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk 



 
 
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