Starting reception is a huge milestone in a child’s life. For many, it marks the first time they will enter a structured environment filled with new routines, faces and expectations. But what does it really mean to be “school ready”? And how can nursery practitioners and managers play a meaningful role in preparing children for school?
At eyworks, we believe nursery professionals are the superheroes of the Early Years. With the right environment, support and tools in place, you’re perfectly placed to give each child the confidence and skills they need to thrive when starting school.
What is School Readiness?
Put simply, school readiness is about giving children the best possible start to their school journey. It’s not about reading, writing or hitting academic benchmarks. It’s about developing the social, emotional and physical foundations that will help a child settle into a classroom environment.
According to the Department for Education, school readiness includes a child’s ability to:
- Communicate their needs and listen to others
- Understand simple instructions and routines
- Socialise and build relationships with peers and adults
- Manage basic self-care tasks independently
Preparing Children for School Through Nursery Practice
Nurseries offer a unique opportunity to support children at a critical stage of development. Within your setting, children begin to build the very skills that will help them feel confident when they walk through the school gates for the first time.
1. Encourage Independence
Being school ready often means being able to carry out basic tasks independently such as putting on their coat, using the toilet, or opening their lunchbox. These moments of independence build resilience and self-belief, and nursery settings are the ideal place to encourage them.
- Support self-care routines like handwashing, toileting and putting on shoes.
- Create opportunities for children to make choices, for example, letting them choose which activity to start with or which snack to have.
- Use routines to reinforce responsibility, like encouraging children to tidy up their space or pack their own bag.
2. Build Social Confidence
Learning to play alongside others, manage emotions, resolve conflicts and follow instructions takes time and practice. Nurseries create a supportive environment where resilience and social skills can flourish.
- Reinforce positive behaviours like kindness and empathy.
- Promote group play and activities, such as small-world setups, shared story props or collaborative building tasks.
- Use circle time to practise listening and speaking in turn
3. Strengthen Communication
A rich language environment gives children the opportunity to express themselves, ask questions and make sense of the world around them. Children who can express their needs and understand simple instructions are better equipped for the classroom.
- Incorporate language-rich activities into your daily routines that encourage children to describe what they see, hear or touch.
- Offer storytelling, singing and rhyme sessions.
- Use open-ended questions to extend children’s thinking and vocabulary, such as “What do you think will happen next?” or “How did that make you feel?”
4. Build Emotional Literacy
One of the most powerful things a child can take into school is the ability to understand and express their emotions. Through circle time, story sessions or quiet chats, nursery practitioners are already helping children name their feelings and learn how to manage them.
- Use emotion cards or stories to explore different feelings.
- Introduce role play activities to help children express and understand emotions.
- Create a ‘starting school’ mini pack with calming techniques and conversation starters for families.
5. Foster a Love of Learning
Nurseries are the perfect place to spark curiosity and positive attitudes towards school. By encouraging children to ask questions, explore and make connections, you’re already helping them become active, engaged learners.
- Rotate engaging books and storytelling props to inspire early reading enjoyment.
- Offer playful learning experiences focused on Early Years STEM activities.
- Celebrate progress and curiosity, not perfection.
A Team Effort Between Nursery and Home
School readiness doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows from strong partnerships between nursery and home. Tools like eylog can help you capture and celebrate progress, and with eyparent you can keep families informed and engaged, building trust and ensuring everyone feels part of the journey.
It’s also important to recognise that every child’s journey to school is unique. All children develop at their own pace, and for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), school readiness might look a little different. That could mean additional support, alternative approaches, or simply recognising and valuing different strengths. Whatever the path, the aim is always to help every child feel secure, confident and prepared for the exciting steps ahead.
Let eyworks support your whole nursery community, from staff and families to future school starters. Learn more about how eyworks supports nurseries.
