Starting reception

• If your child needs additional support to settle into Reception, make sure you share as much information as possible with their new teacher. They can work with you to find strategies to support your child.
• Summer born children, or those speaking English as an additional language (EAL) may need more support.
• If you know or suspect your child has suspected or confirmed special educational needs (SEND), developmental differences or delays, some of these skills may not be achievable for them at this point.
• Early support makes a big difference, ask your child’s nursery, school, 0 to 19 practitioner, local children’s centre or family hub for help.

• Putting on/taking off their coat and shoes
• Using the toilet and washing their hands (See our toileting page)

• Getting dressed with little help, for example, after using the toilet or doing PE
• Using a fork/spoon and drinking from an open cup
• Spending time away from you, learning they can be looked after by caring adults

• Engaging in imaginative play (for example, role play)
• Drawing, painting, colouring and sticking
• Sharing story books with caregivers, looking at pictures and talking about the characters



• Exploring the world around them (for example, looking closely at the natural world or playing safely with objects at home)
• See our Supporting your child’s development page for activity ideas

• Practicing sharing and taking turns with toys
• Talking to them about how they are feeling and why
• Looking at story books together and speaking about what characters are feeling is a good way to do this
• Beginning to recognise what others are feeling, for example, understanding if a friend is sad
• Encouraging them to set boundaries for themselves and others (for example, knowing how to say ‘no’)

• Singing along with songs and nursery rhymes
• Talking happily to others about activities, experiences and the world around them



• Showing they need help by speaking clearly (in basic English or sign language)
• Recognising the pattern of their name (so they can find it on their coat peg or jacket)

• Paying attention for short periods of time
• Listening to and following simple instructions
• Carrying on with a task even when it’s difficult and bouncing back if things go wrong

• Walking up and down steps (one foot at a time, using the wall for support)
• Climbing, running, jumping and playing
• Catching a large ball (most of the time)
• Doing simple puzzles and craft activities, strengthening their grip with cutting and sticking

• Going to bed around the same time each night, waking up in time to get ready for school
• Limiting screen time to the recommended daily amounts (see advice)
• Eating a healthy diet and trying new foods
• Brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day (See our oral health page for advice and information on brushing teeth)

• If you’re worried about your child’s progress
  • talk to your childminder
  • nursery
  • pre-school team
  • health visitor
  • local children’s centre
• ​If your child has developmental delays or SEND (suspected or confirmed), speak to their childminder, Nursery or Pre-school team well before they start reception.
• You can work with your child’s early years setting to help your child with self-care, managing emotions, social skills, and communication in a way that suits their stage of development.
• ​You might want to share details about their development, needs, what motivates them, what might trigger difficulties, how they learn best, and what strategies work well.
• Make sure you share important information with everyone supporting your child, including their new reception teacher.

Resources for families with additional needs

There are many organisations who can support you with information and strategies to prepare you, your child and their educational setting, ensuring a smooth transition and setting them up for future success.

These include:

• Family Lives
• Speech and Language UK
• Dingley’s Promise
• KIDS