The building blocks of learning We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we’ re all learning from birth. When it’ s time to start school, some children will need more help than others. There are key skills * that schools expect children to be learning before their first day. Practising these will make your child’ s journey to reception as positive as possible. If your child is already at nursery, in pre-school, or with a childminder, those professionals will work with you and your child to help get them ready. There’ s lots you can do at home to build your child’ s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school. You can read more on KindredSquared’ s Starting Reception guidelines at startingreception. co. uk to help you and your child prepare for this exciting change
Growing independence
Taking care of themselves
• Putting on / taking off their coat and shoes
• Using the toilet and washing their hands
• Getting dressed with little help, e. g. after using the toilet or doing PE
• Using cutlery( e. g. fork and spoon) and drinking from an open cup
• Spending time away from you, learning they can be looked after by caring adults
Your child ' s journey to school starts at home. Scan the QR code for more on KindredSquared ' s Starting Reception guidance, resources and useful links:
Play, creativity and curiosity
• Taking part in imaginative play( e. g. role play)
• Drawing, painting, colouring and sticking
• Sharing story books, looking at pictures and talking about the characters
• Exploring the world around them( e. g. looking closely at the natural world, playing safely with objects at home)
Building relationships and communicating
At school your child will be meeting lots of new people and making new friendships. Some things to help them get ready include:
Being with others • Practising sharing and taking turns with toys
• Talking to them about how they are feeling and why. Looking at story books together and speaking about what characters are feeling is a good way to do this
• Beginning to recognise what others are feeling( e. g. understanding if a friend is sad)
• Encouraging them to set boundaries for themselves and others( e. g. knowing how to say‘ no’)
*
We are calling this the‘ Starting Reception’ definition. Some people / organisations refer to this as‘ school readiness’.
16 PARENTKIND. ORG BE SCHOOL READY 2026