Be School Ready: Support, advice and practical tools for parents

For many families, the countdown to the first day of school brings a mix of excitement, questions and a few understandable nerves. It’s a significant step, and one that often comes with plenty to think about. From managing first-day worries to building new routines, there’s a lot to consider as your child prepares to begin their school journey. 

To help you feel confident and supported every step of the way, we’ve launched our new Be School Ready guide and hub. Designed with parents in mind, it’s packed with practical advice, simple tips and helpful resources to make the transition to school as smooth as possible. 

Inside the Be School Ready guide, you’ll find guidance on supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing, encouraging independence and building everyday skills that will help them thrive in their reception year and beyond. Whether it’s getting used to new routines, developing confidence in social situations or understanding what a typical school day might look like, the guide breaks everything down into manageable, reassuring steps. 

Alongside the guide, you can also explore the Be School Ready hub, filled with advice, tips, Be School Ready webinars and downloadable assets created to support you and your child in a fun and engaging way. The assets include activities you can do together at home, designed to build confidence and spark positive conversations about starting school. They’re simple to use, easy to fit into your day and a great way to help your child feel prepared and excited. 

We know that every child is different, and some families may need additional support. That’s why we also created a SEND Support hub, where you’ll find tailored advice and resources for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It’s a supportive space offering guidance to help you navigate this important transition in a way that works for your child. 

Another key part of getting school ready is feeling confident with everyday self-care skills. Our Toilet training toolkit is included to help you approach this milestone with patience and clarity. With practical advice and step-by-step support, it’s there to make the process feel more manageable for both you and your child. 

This year, we are also hosting our first Be School Ready panel discussion, where Dr Kathy Weston, Founder of Tooled Up Education and a leading national expert on parenting, Jennifer Wyman, Founder of Bridge the Gap, Early Years Practitioner and Emotional Literacy Specialist and Sarah Anyan, Community Engagement Executive at Parentkind, former reception teacher and school leader, will explore how to support your little one through this exciting transition. From handling first-day nerves and encouraging new friendships, to building key readiness skills, establishing positive routines, managing emotions and challenges, supporting early learning and preparing for your first parent evening – we’ll share practical advice and answer your questions. 

Starting school is the beginning of a new chapter, and with the right support, it can be a positive and empowering experience for the whole family. Explore the Be School Ready hub today and discover everything you need to help your child take this exciting step with confidence.