If you’re the parent of a four or five-year-old, one of the biggest questions you’ll be asking is, ‘Is my child ready for school?’
After all, it’s a significant transition for any child – and an important part of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) taught at the Montessori Academy, says Zac Zachar, Montessori trainer and culture specialist.
“A smooth transition to school requires more than simply academic preparation,” she explains. “Your child’s ability to socialise, manage his emotions, navigate new environments and more all come into play – and in the Montessori curriculum, this starts years before a child goes to school. Each step is building on what has come before.”
What is school readiness?
School readiness isn’t just about whether your child can count or knows their alphabet off by heart. It’s a broader concept that brings together a range of skills and behaviours. These help show that your child is ready to thrive in the school environment. Here’s a snapshot of what ‘readiness’ actually looks like:
- Academic Readiness: While knowing basic literacy and numeracy skills is important, school readiness also involves the ability to follow instructions, focus on tasks, and demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to learn. “Also, in Montessori, the sensorial materials are all pre-maths concepts your child needs – sorting, matching, grading and classifying.”
- Social Readiness: “Children must be able to take turns, to share, to cooperate in group activities,” says Zac. “In school readiness, there’s an emphasis right now on social emotional skills – so you’ll want your child to be developing friendships, being tolerant of others, following rules and largely managing their emotions. Can they cope if something doesn’t go their way, learn from their mistakes and accept ‘No’ from an adult?”
- Emotional Readiness: Being emotionally ready means that a child can manage their feelings, deal with new situations, and adapt to the school’s structure. “Children need to be able to separate from their parent or caregiver,” says Zac, “and to independently negotiate new environments with confidence. If your child’s been with us in a daycare program, they’ll have the experience of changing rooms and we do this in a careful and measured way, providing them with the experience to build their confidence as they face new situations. And that’s what they’ll encounter at school.”
- Physical Readiness: Physical development is another key aspect of school readiness, which includes running, jumping and sitting still for extended periods. “Also, do they have fine motor skills, have they developed a pencil grip? Do they have writing skills, can they use scissors? Can they navigate a playground without falling over their feet, are they good at balancing? These are questions that may come up in primary school interviews.”
Is my child ready for school?
If you’re not sure if your child’s prepared for a kindy environment, here are six questions to ask yourself:
- Are they a good learner? If your child is curious, shows an interest in new things, asks questions and wants to know everything about the world around them, they’re set.
- Is my child independent? Signs they are include dressing themselves, eating without help and taking themselves off to the loo independently.
- Do they have a good attention span? If your child can focus on a task for a reasonable amount of time, listen, follow instructions and take on tasks, the answer is probably yes.
- Are they social? Perhaps the biggest question we get! If your child interacts with other kids, shows an interest in making friends and can share and take turns, that’s all positive.
- Can they bounce back? Managing your emotions is necessary for school so you’d ideally want your child to be able to cope with small frustrations and be fairly adaptable.
- Do they have good language skills? Good signs include your child being able to express their needs clearly and understand follow simple instructions.
School Readiness Checklist
Explaining to parents about the types of skills expected by schools is a big part of what we do at Montessori, says Zac. “This is split roughly into five different skill types – social skills, emotional wellbeing, independence, language and communication, physical skills, cognitive and resilience – with individual skills inside each type. Just be aware that at Montessori, the school readiness program begins from the moment the child enters our centre and as one of the stages of child development, it’s a milestone kids may reach at different times.”
Want a simple list that covers the key skill areas for school readiness? Our free, at-a-glance checklist helps you see where your child is right now. You can note whether they’re ready, getting there, or not quite there yet. It’s an easy way to pinpoint where your child might need a little extra support and give them that support before school starts.
School Readiness Activities to Help Your Child Get Ready for School
There’s lots you can do as a parent to get your child ready for school, but it may mean tackling the mindset of ‘just doing it yourself’ because it’s quicker or less messy, says Zac.
“We do jump in and do things for our children because it’s easier but just before your child goes to school, it’s a great time to stop, slow down, and work on establishing those morning routines,” she explains. “So you might help them dress themselves in their uniform, make sure they can use the toilet without help and practice travelling to school, all of which can reduce anxiety for you and your child.”
As the big day approaches, it’s also important to label your child’s belongings with your child. “This helps them recognise their own name and gives them responsibility over their own clothing, their backpack, hat, water bottle – it’s what schools ask them to do,” says Zac. “And one of the things we say to parents this time of year is, instead of going and collecting all your children’s things for school, ask them to do it and practice. If he comes out without his hat, remind him to go back and get it. That way, your child begins to recognise, ‘Oh, that’s mine’ and also, ‘Oh, I need to be responsible for that’.”
Putting regular sleep routines in place, having a cut-off point after dinner with screens and learning to pack away toys together are also important when your child is getting ready for school. “Arranging playdates with children who’ll be going to the same school is also a great idea,” says Zac.
Here are some other things you can do as a parent:
| Speaking and listening | • Make conversations fun. For example, make up funny or nonsense rhymes. • Use everyday words that are part of your child’s culture, experience and interests. • Have fun with the sound of letters. Make up silly sentences using words that start with the same sound, such as, “Sam sat on 6 socks.” |
| Reading and drawing | • Read books with rhymes and riddles that your child enjoys. • Sing songs. Make up a song about an everyday activity such as getting dressed. • Ask your child to draw or write about things they like to do, make or play. Talk with your child about their drawing or writing. • Encourage them to create a card for a friend, or an invitation to a special event or celebration. |
| Numbers and counting | • Play board games that use dice and counting. • Find numbers or count objects when going on a walk or other daily activities. • Sing counting songs such as ‘Five little ducks’ or ‘Ten green bottles’. |
| Adding and subtracting | • Add or subtract everyday items such as putting food in their lunch box or taking food out of their lunch box. • When shopping, talk about how many items need to be purchased. For example, “How many bananas do we need for everyone in the family?” |
| Identifying and creating patterns | • Play clapping games where you clap a pattern and your child repeats the pattern. • Create patterns with everyday items such as toys and pencils. |
Source: NSW Department of Education (Getting ready for primary school pdf)
What to Expect on the First Day of School
The first day of school is a significant event for both children and parents. Here’s what you can expect:
- Pick-Up Time: The end of the school day can be tiring for young children. Be prepared for them to be more emotional or tired than usual and give them time to decompress.ool and beyond.
- Morning Drop-Off: Prepare for an emotional morning as you say goodbye to your child. It’s normal for children to feel nervous or anxious, but a quick and positive goodbye can help ease their fears.
- Classroom Activities: Once in the classroom, children will likely engage in activities that help them get to know their teachers and classmates. These activities are designed to make them feel comfortable and excited about being at school.
- Lunch and Break Times: Most schools have designated times for lunch and breaks. Make sure your child knows what to expect and practise opening lunch boxes or packaging ahead of time.
How Montessori Academy prepares children for school
Montessori prepares children for school by providing a thoughtfully designed learning environment that supports each stage of early development. Through the prepared environment, children engage in hands-on, self-paced learning that builds concentration, independence, and confidence. Daily routines and uninterrupted work cycles help children develop essential school readiness skills such as focus, collaboration, following instructions, and time awareness. The Montessori curriculum strengthens academic foundations across practical life, language, mathematics, sensorial and cultural learning, while also supporting social, emotional, and physical development. This holistic approach prepares children not only for a successful transition to school, but for lifelong learning..
If you’re familiar with the Montessori program, you’ll know it teaches skills for life. It is essentially laying an important foundation for your child. However, the whole classroom in itself is also basically set up to help children transition to primary school. Here’s just a snapshot of what your child can expect:
A prepared environment: This is where children are encouraged to take an active role in their learning, with school readiness activities such as sandpaper letters, movable alphabets, and storytelling sessions. These prepare children for the literacy demands of school.
School readiness booklets: These workbooks cover a broad range of subjects your child is likely to face in primary school. We introduce students to primary school learning formats, language-based problem solving and literacy and numeracy skills practice.
Social interaction: “We use role play between educators which helps develop language and teach children how to take turns, follow directions, generate their own ideas, listen,” says Zac. “And in our classroom management we ring a triangle which means stop. It teaches children to stop, listen for the message – which might be pack away and come to group.”
Daily routines: At school, your child will need to take themselves to the toilet independently, open their lunchbox and pack it away, put on a hat and sunscreen. At Montessori these self-help skills are all woven into the curriculum, helping your child be school-ready.
Tip: Build School Readiness by Attending Preschool 3+ Days a Week
Consistency is key to helping children settle into preschool, form strong relationships, and build essential school readiness skills. Attending Montessori preschool three or more consecutive days per week helps children adjust smoothly to the routine, develop independence, and gain confidence in their learning environment. With regular attendance, children follow the natural progression of the Montessori program, revisiting activities each day to practice, reflect, and master new skills. They also strengthen social bonds with teachers and peers, which promotes collaboration, communication, and a strong sense of belonging.
Between the ages of two and six, consistent participation is crucial for developing literacy, numeracy, focus, and problem-solving abilities, all core foundations for school success. Children who attend more frequently benefit from continuity, repetition, and deeper learning experiences, which support them to start school confident, capable, and ready to thrive.
FAQS
Does school readiness change with shy or neurodivergent children?
“Not really. The purpose of Montessori is to find a connection with the child and work with them to become the very best of themselves,” says Zac. “So if we’re observing the child and they’re particularly shy or they have other challenges or learning difficulties, we’ll find an inroad, slowly build their confidence and make that connection within the classroom.”
What happens when a six-year-old isn’t ready for school?
“There are several signs that suggest your child might not be ready for school, including getting easily frustrated when expectations are placed on them, or struggling to follow instructions in daily activities,” explains Zac. “Other signs include your child still relying on you to do tasks such as dressing them, they may still not be fully toilet-trained in the daytime, or their language or way of expressing themselves may be poor. Talking to your child’s EYLF educators about what they’re seeing can be helpful in regard to next steps for your child.”
What’s involved in a primary school kindy interview?
It’s not a test as such, but the principal of the public school or a kindy teacher may interview you. This is simply to asses your child’s school readiness, while your child engages in tasks such as drawing or cutting. “Parents get incredibly nervous about these interviews but they’re usually quite general,” says Zac. “The emphasis is really on how your child is doing socially and emotionally, their independence, ability to communicate, physical skills and whether they’re able to say goodbye and separate when you drop them off in the morning.”
Summary
Starting school is an exciting time in your child’s life, although it can be a bit scary too. That’s why it’s a great idea to assess your child with this downloadable school readiness checklist. It can help you understand where your child may need a bit of extra support. Keeping in touch with educators and doing all you can at home to help your child prepare can also make for a confident and fun start to ‘big school’.
Don’t forget, a Montessori education is designed to prepare your child for a life of future learning, emotional wellbeing and communication skills, so they can reach their full potential. School readiness in a Montessori environment doesn’t just start the year before school. It’s something we’re always working and building on from the first day your child joins us.
At Montessori Academy, we believe that early preparation creates a strong foundation for lifelong success. Through our proven approach, we guide both children and parents through this important milestone, helping learners thrive academically and socially. Contact Montessori Academy to learn more about how our approach will help your child embrace new challenges with curiosity, resilience, and joy.