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Is Your Child Ready for School? Key Readiness Skills to Develop

Starting school is a big milestone, not only for your tamaiti (child), but for your entire whānau. It’s an exciting step towards independence, learning, and new friendships. But how do you know if your tamaiti is truly ready? And how can you prepare them emotionally, socially, and cognitively?

We’ll explore essential school readiness skills and share practical early childhood education advice grounded in both modern best practices and a uniquely Aotearoa perspective. From building independence to strengthening routines, you’ll find tips that support your child’s smooth transition into the world of early learning.

Whether your tamaiti is currently attending one of our many nurturing Busy Bees centres around the motu or not, these strategies will help you prepare with confidence and care.

Key Readiness Skills for School

Before stepping into a new learning environment, it helps if your tamaiti can manage a few foundational life skills. School is not just about knowing letters or numbers. It’s about being socially and emotionally ready to participate in a group setting and engage with others.

Here are some typical indicators of readiness:

Can follow simple instructions (e.g., tidy up, wash hands)
Shows interest in interacting with other tamariki (children)
Uses words or gestures to express needs
Manages basic self-care such as dressing or toileting
Feels secure during short separations from caregivers

Readiness looks different for every child – and that’s okay. With gentle encouragement and patience, these skills can be nurtured over time.

How to Foster Independence in Young Children

Fostering mana motuhake – independence and self-agency – is key to helping tamariki thrive in preschool. Encouraging your child to do small tasks on their own builds self-belief and a sense of capability.

Try these strategies at home:

Offer choices: “Would you like to wear your blue or red shirt?” This fosters decision-making.
Create predictable routines: Tamariki feel safe when they know what to expect e.g. morning, kai (meals), bedtime rhythms.
Involve them in daily life: Let them help pour water, pack their bag, or choose their snacks.
Praise effort, not just outcomes: "You tried really hard to zip your jacket!"

These small moments help strengthen their place to stand in the world.

Establishing consistent routines and nurturing strong relationships are powerful tools for easing transitions. In the weeks before your child’s first day:

Talk about school positively using familiar words and feelings.
Visit the school together so they can explore and meet their kaiako.
Practise the daily rhythm at home, such as wake-up times, packing their lunchbox and backpack
Create a goodbye ritual that reassures your child you’ll return.

At Busy Bees, whanaungatanga (connectedness and relationships) is a core value. We place a strong emphasis on belonging, and we know that tamariki settle best when they feel known, heard, and respected.

Activities to Practise Before Starting School

Preparation doesn’t need to feel like schoolwork. Through play and shared moments, tamariki can gain valuable readiness skills. Here are a few fun and simple activities:

Storytime

Reading together builds reo (language), concentration, and emotional understanding.

Pretend play

Set up a make-believe school with dolls or stuffed toys. This helps your tamaiti rehearse common scenarios and reduce anxiety.

Playdates

Being social with peers helps with sharing, turn-taking, and communication.

Art and fine motor play

Drawing, threading beads, or shaping playdough develops the coordination used in school tasks.

Name recognition

Label their cubby or water bottle and practise spotting their name. School readiness skills

Busy Bees: Preparing Your Child for Kura and Beyond

Starting school is a big step. As a trusted provider of early childhood education care across Aotearoa, Busy Bees is here to walk alongside you and your whānau leading up to this exciting chapter.

The Bee Curious Curriculum Framework has been carefully designed to ensure every child grows in confidence, curiosity, and capability as they prepare for this important transition. Grounded in Te Whāriki, the national early childhood curriculum, Bee Curious blends rich cultural values with best practice, ensuring your child is ready not only for school, but for life.

For more helpful tips, browse our News and Updates section where we regularly share ideas, guidance, and inspiration for parents like you.

He Taonga Te Tamaiti – Every Child is a Treasure

We believe every child is capable, curious, and full of potential. If you’re wondering whether your tamaiti is ready for school, we’re here to help you decide and to provide a supportive environment that uplifts their growth and readies them for the next stage in their learning journey. Book a visit at your local Busy Bees. Find a centre today and discover how we nurture confident learners with aroha, structure, and joy.