When your child starts primary school

Updated: 1st November 2023

Keep supporting your child now they are ready to take the next exciting step of starting school.

Child development

For a parent's guide from birth to five years, with a wealth of information for families, visit: Healthy Early Years .

Take you child on walks past their school and talk about how exciting it will be when they start there.
Go to the 'new parents' welcome events at the school. Talk to your child about what they can expect. Share with them their teacher's name and the name of their class.
Take your child to any activity the school puts on to help them to get used to being there.
Help your child practise getting changed for PE and putting their uniform/school clothes on themselves.
Play games that help your child to know their name. Use a capital letter and lower case other letters.
Help your child to eat their meals on their own, as much as possible. School staff will help them to cut food up.
Encourage your child to do things on their own. Such as, use the toilet, blow their nose and put their coat/shoes on.
Talk about school with your child in a positive way. (Even if you are feeling a little anxious yourself.)
Continue with the support suggested in step 11.

For general health and learning, see: Advice and support. (New born to 5 years old).

If you think you need urgent help (day or night), before you go to any other health service, phone: 111.

You will be directed straight away to the local service that can help you best.
It is available anytime, everyday and is free to call from a mobile or landline.

You should phone: 111:

Important note: For serious and life-threatening emergencies, phone: 999.