Starting School with Confidence: How to Help Your Preschooler Thrive
With September just around the corner, many families are preparing for one of the biggest transitions in early childhood; starting school. Whether your child has attended The WRAP Nursery, or another setting, this step can feel both exciting and daunting for parents and children alike.
At WRAP, we’ve had the privilege of guiding many children through their early years, and this summer, we’re proudly sending off another group of confident, capable preschoolers ready to start school! Based on our experience, here are some practical ways you can help your child feel ready for this next chapter.
Focus on Independence First
One of the most important things to help a child feel more ready for school is confidence. That means helping your child become more independent with things like:
Mealtime: Whether it's using cutlery or opening lunch containers, mealtime independence builds confidence.
Dressing: Practice with zips, buttons, and shoes can make mornings easier.
Toiletting: This is one of the biggest markers of school readiness and a huge confidence booster for children.
We start encouraging these skills early at WRAP. Our children serve their own food from around 14 months, and they really love it!, so they build capability in a natural, hands-on way.
Build Strong Foundations in Early Learning
While no child is expected to arrive at school with a formal education, familiarity with certain basics can give them a head start and reduce anxiety:
Phonics: At WRAP, we gently focus on helping children recognise key letter sounds (especially the early set: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k).
Early maths: Counting forwards and backwards to 10, and recognising numbers 0–10, lays the groundwork for numeracy.
Fine motor skills: Holding scissors correctly, drawing shapes, and starting to write their name are all helpful for the classroom.
Support Their Social and Emotional Growth
For many children, school will be their first experience of a large group environment. Helping your child;
Express their needs clearly to adults
Take turns and share with peers
Play independently for short periods
…will support them enormously when they enter a busy classroom.
At WRAP, we model and encourage this every day, helping children navigate social situations, solve problems, and feel heard.
Keep Routines Predictable & Emotions Validated
Starting school brings a lot of change. Keeping your home routines consistent, especially around sleep, meals, and downtime, can give your child a sense of security. It’s also normal for children to have mixed feelings, from excitement to worry. Give them space to talk about those emotions, and remind them that it’s okay to feel more than one thing at once.
Looking Ahead
This summer, it will be a bittersweet moment as we say goodbye to a wonderful group of preschoolers, many of whom have been with us since WRAP first opened its doors. We will miss them all very much but we know that they leave us not just ready for school, but ready to adapt, explore and continue learning with confidence.
Well done children, we are so proud of you x
