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RECAP GUEST BLOG: What does 'school ready' mean?

Michelle Windridge, blog author. Smiling blonde woman in a dark blouse poses against a plain blue background.

Bio: Michelle Windridge is the National Education Lead for School-Based EYFS, championing and supporting high-quality early years provision nationwide. With over 20 years’ experience in primary and early years education, she brings together classroom expertise, school leadership, and national strategic insight.

She writes regularly for TES, Teach Early Years, and Early Years Educator Magazine, and contributes to higher education as an External Examiner for Primary Education Studies and Early Childhood Studies. Her background spans senior school leadership, lecturing in education, and achieving FHEA status for her impact on teaching and learning in higher education.



Having spent more than 20 years as a Reception teacher, and having experienced the starting school journey twice as a parent with my own children, I can honestly say that beginning school is often an emotional rollercoaster.


As a parent, I was faced with a mixture of pride at such a significant milestone, anxiety about whether my children would settle happily, and sheer exhaustion from preparing everything they needed (a huge thank you to whoever invented iron-on name labels, they are an absolute game changer!) 



Teacher and children in a bright classroom hold up a colorful solar system poster, with planets, bunting, and playful learning mood

My experiences as a Reception teacher have felt surprisingly similar. There is always excitement about meeting a new cohort of children and beginning to build relationships with them and their families, but there is also an awareness of stepping into the unknown. Unlike other year groups in primary school, where teachers often have opportunities to visit classes, speak to previous staff members and gather detailed transition information, Reception teachers can receive children from more than 20 different early years settings. Information can sometimes feel patchy or inconsistent, with every child arriving with their own wonderfully unique experiences, personalities and needs.


One thing I have learnt through both my professional and personal experiences is that relationships are at the heart of a positive starting school experience. Yet parents are often bombarded with well-meaning advice about what their child “should” be able to do before starting school. With so much information now shared widely across social media, the pressure on families can feel immense.


In this article, I hope to offer reassurance, practical tips and supportive guidance from both perspectives: as a Reception teacher who has welcomed hundreds of children into school, and as a mother who has been through the process herself and come out the other side.


So, what does “school ready” actually mean?


Despite what social media may sometimes suggest, school readiness is not about being able to read fluently, write sentences or complete worksheets before starting Reception. In fact, most Reception teachers would agree that the skills that matter most are the social, emotional and practical ones.


Current research from Kindred Squared’s 2025 School Readiness Survey found that many teachers are increasingly concerned about children’s confidence, communication and independence skills when they start school. The report highlighted that children are often finding it difficult to manage simple routines, communicate their needs or separate confidently from parents and carers. At the same time, many parents reported feeling unsure about what “school ready” really means.


The good news is that there are lots of small, manageable things families can do to help children feel more confident about the transition to school, and most of them can be built naturally into everyday family life.



Two blond toddlers in striped shirts eat at a kitchen counter, one in focus sipping from a small bowl, with a calm, quiet mood.

One of the most important things you can do is focus on independence. Reception classrooms are busy places, and while staff are always there to help and support, children feel far more secure when they can manage some simple tasks for themselves. Encouraging your child to put on their own coat, use the toilet independently, wash their hands, tidy away toys or carry their own bag can make a huge difference to their confidence. It may take longer, and sometimes it is tempting to do things for them when life feels rushed, but those small moments of independence really do matter.


Language and conversation are also incredibly important. Research consistently shows that children’s communication skills are closely linked to their confidence and later learning. The Education Endowment Foundation highlights the importance of early language development and meaningful interactions with adults in supporting children’s long-term outcomes. Simple things such as chatting while walking to the shops, talking about what you can see out of the window, singing songs together or sharing stories all help build vocabulary and communication skills.

And speaking of stories, reading together remains one of the most valuable things you can do before your child starts school. It is not about testing them on letters or asking them to perform. It is about building positive associations with books, language and closeness. Snuggling up together with a favourite story helps children develop listening skills, imagination and emotional security all at the same time.


It is also perfectly normal for children to feel anxious about starting school. Some children run confidently through the gate on day one, while others cling tightly to their grown-up’s leg for weeks. Both reactions are completely normal. Children process change differently, and there is no “correct” way to start school.


As parents, we often worry that tears at drop-off mean our child is unhappy, but in my experience as a Reception teacher, children usually settle far more quickly than parents imagine. Often, the hardest part is the goodbye itself. A calm, confident and consistent goodbye routine can really help. Even when your own heart feels wobbly, children take reassurance from knowing that the adults around them trust the situation and believe they will be okay.



Girl climbs a red playground arch ladder beside another child, with trees and colorful play structures in the background.

Another thing I always encourage parents to remember is that play is still learning. There can sometimes be pressure to focus heavily on academic skills before school begins, but young children learn best through play, exploration and secure relationships. Building with blocks, dressing up, playing outside, painting, climbing, digging, pretending and simply talking together all support important areas of development. The National Children’s Bureau’s 2026 “A Better Start” report emphasised the importance of play-based learning and strong relationships in supporting successful school transitions.


Sleep and routines can also make a significant difference during those first few weeks. Starting school is exhausting, not just physically, but emotionally too. Children are learning new routines, processing huge amounts of information and navigating unfamiliar social situations every single day. You may notice your child becoming more emotional, more tired or even more clingy after school. This is incredibly common. Keeping evenings calm and predictable can really help children feel secure while they adjust.


It is also important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. Social media can sometimes leave parents feeling as though they are falling behind or doing something wrong if their child cannot already write their name before they start school. Please do not panic. Reception teachers are trained to meet children where they are developmentally. Schools do not expect children to arrive knowing everything already.


What matters most is not perfection but confidence, curiosity and emotional security. Children who feel safe, valued and connected are far more likely to engage with learning over time. Research from the UK Parliament’s 2025 briefing on children’s wellbeing in schools found that positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging play an important role in children’s wellbeing and engagement with learning.


Final Thoughts


Finally, be kind to yourself as a parent too. Starting school is a transition for the whole family, not just the child. It is completely normal to feel emotional, proud, anxious or even a little lost when your child reaches this milestone. Whether you are celebrating your youngest starting school or wondering where the years have gone, those feelings are valid.


There will probably be chaotic mornings, lost jumpers, forgotten reading books and tired tears along the way. But there will also be new friendships, growing confidence, exciting discoveries and those lovely moments when your child suddenly seems just a little bit bigger than they did before.


And eventually, usually sooner than you think, school will simply become part of everyday life.

For further advice and practical tips to support you and your child on the starting school journey, Twinkl’s Ready, Set, School hub is a fantastic source of information and ideas.


References: 


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