How to prepare your child for their first day of school

As Princess Charlotte starts school, here’s a guide to help kids (and their parents) cope with first day nerves
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Today, Princess Charlotte has attended her first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea.

The four-year-old middle child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Charlotte is attending the same school as her older brother, Prince George, who started at Thomas’s in 2017.

A child’s first day of school is a milestone, it’s where they will spend most weekdays for the next 14 or so years and so it can be a nerve-wracking process for both parents and their kids.

However, there are some things that parents can do to help their kids be as prepared for school as possible.

Encourage independent thinking

“Encourage them to be as independent as possible,” Sarah West, Marketing and Communications Manager at Parentkind, tells the Standard.

“[This can mean] getting them to practise getting dressed and undressed, into and out of their school uniform, coat and PE kit, look for Velcro shoe straps, elasticated waistbands and clip-on ties to make it as easy as possible for them.

“Also encouraging them to use the toilet independently and remind them of basic hygiene rules. Little fun prompts like making a ‘hedgehog’ shape with their hands when washing them, will help them do it properly.”

West also recommends getting your child into a sleep routine by setting a clear bedtime and getting them to relax by reading them a story.

Make sure they are emotionally prepared

The first day can be scary, but West recommends talking positively about school in the lead up to their first day.

She continues: “Be enthusiastic, even if you feel nervous or didn’t enjoy your school experience, try talking about all the exciting things they are about to encounter, encourage them to ask questions and reassure them as much as possible.

“Reading books about starting school is a simple way to start conversations with your child and help them familiarise themselves with school routines through the stories.”

Parentkind’s five top tips for preparing your child for school


1. Talk to them about what to expect at school, staying positive and sharing your own experiences/reading stories about starting school so they can identify with the character’s experiences.

2. Practise getting in and out of their school uniform so that they’ve developed a level of independence beforehand.

3. Get to know other parents whose children are starting in their class by organising playdates and attending school events together.

4. Start getting your child into a routine by setting a clear bedtime and waking them up nice and early, so they get to know what to expect.

5. Be enthusiastic and positive about school, telling your child about all the exciting things that you get to do at school – even if it’s about playing with new friends and getting to have a yummy lunch.

Remember kids adapt quickly

While it can be daunting not knowing anyone else at school, West says not to worry if you’re new to an area or haven’t had a chance to get together with the local children before starting school.

West explains: “Kids adapt really quickly and in most cases make friends very easily. Keep an eye out for school PTA welcome events for new parents and children - they are worth attending as they’re a great opportunity for the whole family to meet teachers informally and make some new friends with others at the school.”

Try to take your child to the school open day before they start

West says: “You might well have taken your child along to the school’s open morning when you were choosing a primary school or perhaps the summer fair. It’s a good idea to do this so that you can become more familiar with the school and get a feel for it. You could also do a ‘dry run’ of your route to school, just as if it was the big day itself, so that your child understands where they’re going and gets used to the journey they’ll soon be taking every day.

“For parents, we would recommend taking part in the settling in or welcome events for new starters if you can. They’re a great way for you to get to know other parents and the staff beforehand, so that you are familiar with the people who will be looking after your child; and often your child’s reception teacher will make a home visit, so that they can get to know each other before term starts. If you’re not always at the school gates (or even if you are) signing up to your school and PTA’s social media sites is a great way of staying in the loop with everything that’s happening at school.”

How parents can soothe their nerves

A child’s first day of school is just as daunting and exciting for the parent as it is for their little one, but West advises that parents should familiarise themselves with the school website and note down important dates on the calendar to help get a ‘feel of this new adventure’.

West continues: “Our top tip for their first day is to make sure you don’t stick around at drop off; it’s generally best to leave them to it and have a box of tissues ready at home – just in case of tears… yours, not theirs!

“If there were a few tears in the morning and you’re worried, don’t be afraid to call the school and check up on your child – most kids settle in quickly, and the tears will be forgotten, but sometimes it’s worth a call for your own piece of mind.”

What to expect on the first day

West says: “In reception, there is usually a phased approach with pupils starting at different times and only coming in for certain periods of the day. The first day is all about getting used to their new surroundings, meeting their new classmates and getting used to their class teacher and teaching assistants. There’s a lot of games and play at the beginning of reception, so they should have lots of fun.

“Even if your child went to nursery or pre-school, nothing will prepare them for the tiredness they’ll feel, so be aware there might be a few sleepy meltdowns along the way.

“They’ll also be really hungry, so we recommend picking them up with a snack, to keep them going until tea time.”

Parentkind champions all the ways that parents can participate in education and is the leading Parent Teacher Association (PTA) membership organisation and registered charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Parentkind also provides training and support to teachers, governors and parents to build successful home-school relationships. For further information, visit: parentkind.org.uk

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