Getting Ready for School

Starting school or returning after the holidays can be a big adjustment for your child and for your family! New routines, new environments and new interactions can push children outside of their comfort zone and they made need a little extra support to help them navigate these changes.

Taking steps to prepare for school can make a big difference for both you and your child. We understand that children learn in different ways and may need different levels of support when it comes to school readiness skills. At Rocky Bay, we offer practical strategies and programs designed to support your family through this important transition so that you all feel ready to take on school with confidence.

What Is School Readiness & Why Does it Matter?

School readiness isn’t just about learning letters and numbers; it’s about giving your child the tools and confidence to thrive in their school community. Encouraging them to build emotional resilience, social awareness, physical coordination and cognitive skills, all of which will help them feel less overwhelmed.

It’s important to remember that every child grows and develops at their own pace, which is why school readiness and prep can look different for everyone. At Rocky Bay, we take the time to understand your child’s individual needs and strengths, which allows us to meet them where they are at and tailor our support accordingly.

Important School Readiness Skills

Starting school or returning to school after holidays can be a big change that comes with new challenges, environments and people! Having the right skills will help your child feel more confident.

Some of these new skills include:

• Mastering transitions and routines: New school morning routines can feel like a big change. Suddenly there’s a set time to wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast and be ready for the school day. Children also need to adjust to in-class routines, like moving between lessons, following instructions and managing their time. Practising these changes at home before school starts can make the transition feel smoother and less overwhelming.
• Managing emotions and self-regulation: A new environment, new people, and unfamiliar routines can evoke a range of emotions. From excitement and curiosity to nervousness and frustration. Learning how to recognise and manage these feelings is key to staying calm, focusing on tasks and navigating challenges throughout the day.
• Communication and social interaction: Transitioning from daycare, home school, or home life into a larger school environment means children will interact with more peers and adults than ever before. Building the ability to express needs, ask questions, join group activities and listen to others helps them feel included and develop positive relationships.
• Gross and fine motor skills: From running and jumping in the playground to holding a pencil or opening a lunchbox, these skills are essential for both learning and play. Gross motor skills support coordination and stamina for active school days, while fine motor skills are important for tasks like writing, cutting with scissors and managing small objects.
• Independence skills: Being able to manage small tasks on their own like dressing, toileting, washing hands or packing their bag can help children feel more confident and capable. Learning these skills will reduce their reliance on teachers for everyday needs and give your child a sense of pride.

Prepping for Prep: How to Build Confidence at Home

Preparing your child for school can incorporate small but consistent practices at home leading up to their first day. Start by talking positively about school in the weeks leading up to the start of term to reduce anxiety. Focus on the exciting parts of school like making friends, learning new things and exploring the playground. In addition to this, a few weeks before school starts, it can be helpful to start introducing school routines such as earlier bedtimes, using a lunchbox and getting dressed in the new uniform. This means that by the time school starts, these new routines will feel a bit more normal and natural. If possible, go a step further and visit the school together or do a “practice run” of the journey. This will help to familiarise your child with their new environment to remove first-day nerves (this can be a handy practice run for nervous parents too).

Role-play the classroom environment in a fun way to practice social skills like raising your hand, lining up, and introducing yourself. This will prepare children for real-life school situations in a comfortable and low-pressure way.

For children who may be experiencing developmental delays or learning difficulties, incorporating these clear routines, visual aids and step-by-step instructions can be especially helpful. Building their confidence and independence before stepping foot into the classroom can have a noticeable impact. If you’re unsure where to start, our parents and carers page is a great resource. Learn more about available training programs that you and your child might find useful.

Rocky Bay School Readiness Programs and Support

At Rocky Bay, we’re here to make your child’s transition to school as smooth and positive as possible. That’s why our programs are designed to build confidence, independence, and key skills in a way that feels fun and engaging for everyone.

For younger children, our Sprouts Pre-Kindy Readiness group program is designed to help prepare for that first leap into kindy. Guided by an expert-backed framework, this program offers proven strategies and guidance to help your child grow important foundational skills in a structured but fun environment. Support is available at most of our hubs and Sprouts is offered at Lady Lawley Cottage, which is your go-to hub for youth support.

Meet our Lady Lawley Cottage Team!

Children of all ages can also benefit from our Go For Goals program. a targeted four-week therapy package designed to help develop skills towards an individual goal. This goal can be related to an aspect of school readiness after a holiday period or when transitioning to a new school and involves working towards thriving inside and outside the classroom. The Rocky Bay services are grounded in play-based learning and tailored to each child.

Depending on your child’s needs, support can look different for everyone. From therapy sessions to group programs and family guidance, explore our options to determine what would work best for you and your family. With a tailored approach to each child and family, reach out to our friendly team to discover what option would work best for you.

Read Aden’s Story!

Back to School Tips for Parents

Remember to try and embrace these special first moments and remind yourself that it’s okay if everything doesn’t go perfectly. The first week of school is all about learning and adjusting together. Here are our top tips for this adjustment period:

• Trial communication styles: Every child responds differently, explore what works best for you both. Try using visuals, stories, modelling, or relaxed sit-down chats to share thoughts and feelings about the week. This creates a safe space to check in and support each other.
• Build a calm morning routine: Mornings can set the tone for the day. Allow extra time, avoid rushing, and keep steps simple and predictable like breakfast, getting dressed and packing the school bag.
• Encourage involvement: Try inviting your child to help pack their bag or choose their lunch. Small choices give them a sense of control and excitement about their day.
• Consistency at home: Keep familiar routines in place outside of school to balance the big changes happening during the day, offering stability and reassurance when it’s needed most.

When to Seek Extra Support

While it’s normal for children to face challenges before starting school, it’s also important to know when a little extra support may be needed. If your child is consistently struggling with routines, social skills or everyday tasks, seeking support from an experienced professional can help.

At Rocky Bay, we partner with children and their families to build confidence and independence at their own pace. Our team of friendly, experienced therapists, combined with our early intervention programs and school readiness services are here to help.

Ready to Get Started?

We know that prepping your child for school can feel daunting but you’re not alone. At Rocky Bay, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced team is here to provide the right guidance, resources and encouragement you need to help your child thrive during this important milestone.

If you’re ready to give your child the best start to their school journey, reach out to our friendly team today to find out how our school readiness programs can support you and your family.