How to Help Your Child Feel Confident Starting Preschool or Reception

How do you help your child feel confident when it comes to starting nursery or preschool? Our friends at The Good Schools Guide share their tips on how to nurture and encourage your child's confidence to make the transition to preschool a little easier.

Starting preschool or reception is a milestone for any child - and parent. To see your little one skipping into the classroom on the first day is the dream, but the first hurdle can be untangling them from your legs and getting them through the front door.

If your child is going to preschool or school for the first time in September, there is a lot you can do over the summer to help build their self-confidence and make sure they're ready to get involved and enjoy all that there is to offer in this exciting new stage of life.

1. Say Goodbye

If visions of your child clinging vice-like to your neck while you try to deliver them to the nursery teacher on the first - or the tenth - morning is the stuff of your nightmares, then it's important to prepare for the first goodbyes in plenty of time before the big day. Your child will find it easier to settle at preschool if they are already used to spending time apart from you, in the care of grandparents, other relatives or friends. Start with a short time and gradually build up to a morning or afternoon.

2. Familiarisation

Being left with people who they don't already know can also be a worry for small children, so it's a good idea to take advantage of the familiarisation sessions most schools offer, and settling in sessions many preschools offer in the run-up to the first day. Introduce your child to the teachers or nursery practitioners and make sure they have a good look around the setting. Back at home, chat to your child about the place and the people to make sure it stays fresh in their memory.

3. Making Friends

If you already know children at the nursery, preschool or school who will be there when your child joins, or others who will be joining at the same time, organise a playdate and get them all together. Some familiar faces will be encouraging and help your child feel at home. Most parents are keen on the idea, and it only takes one to get the ball rolling.

4. Staying Friends

Getting along with people is a great Early Years lesson, but many children find it hard to master. This is something that comes with development and age. Help at home by modelling good relationships yourself, being very obviously kind and considerate towards relatives and friends and showing your child how you can help each other and work together to get something done.

5. Social Skills

This may be your child's first introduction to socialising in a big group and some children can find it daunting. Learning how to share and take turns before joining can help avoid initial squabbles. Remember that under-threes tend to play next to each other rather than together, so don't be disappointed if you peek into the classroom and see your child not interacting - this should come with age.

6. Confidence

Self-confidence is related to competence, so give your child lots of opportunities to realise that they really can do it. Encourage your child's efforts to put on clothes or tidy toys, for example, and be full of praise at a job well done. Focus on your child's strengths, rather than criticising weaknesses. Emphasise that making mistakes is ok, and a good way to learn. 'What could we have done differently?' is a great first step towards problem-solving and finding the way to success.

With your child settled and happy, the learning can begin!

---

The Good Schools Guide has been trusted by parents for more than 30 years for its impartial advice on every aspect of choosing the best education for their children.