Preparing Your Child for Their First Day of Reception: A Guide for Parents

Starting school is one of the biggest milestones in a child’s early years. The first day of reception often brings a mixture of excitement, pride, and nerves for children and parents alike. Walking into the classroom for the first time, meeting a new teacher, and saying goodbye at the school gate can stir up big emotions.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• Why the first day of school can feel overwhelming

• Signs your child might be anxious about starting reception

• Strategies to prepare your child emotionally and practically

• How parents can manage their own feelings about this big change

• When to seek extra support if the transition feels difficult

Why Starting Reception Feels Like a Big Step

For many children, reception is their first experience of a structured learning environment. Even if they’ve been to nursery or preschool, the scale and formality of “big school” can feel very different.

New routines, new friendships, and separation from their parents can all contribute to feelings of anxiety. Children at this age may not always have the words to express their worries, but they often show us through their behaviour.

Signs of School Anxiety in Young Children

Every child reacts differently, but some common signs that your child may be feeling anxious about starting school include:

• Clinginess or reluctance to separate from parents

• Changes in sleep or appetite in the weeks leading up to the first day

• More frequent tantrums or emotional outbursts

• Complaints of tummy aches or feeling unwell (especially on school mornings)

• Asking repeated questions about what school will be like

These behaviours are very normal and often fade as children settle into the routine. Still, proactively noticing and responding to these feelings can help your child feel reassured and supported.

Practical Ways to Prepare Your Child for Reception

The weeks leading up to the first day of school are a valuable time to build your child’s confidence and sense of readiness. Here are some gentle, effective strategies:

1. Talk About What Will Happen (But Start at the Right Time!)

Begin gently and purposefully around two weeks before school starts to avoid mounting anticipatory anxiety. Read picture books about starting school, share pictures of the classroom or teacher, or talk through the day step-by-step — hanging up coats, meeting teachers, playing with friends, and coming home at the end of the day. Keeping explanations clear and simple helps children feel safe.

2. Build Predictable Routines

Around two weeks before the end of the summer holidays, make a conscious effort to shift wake-up and bedtimes into a routine that is consistent with school. Having consistency around sleep can improve mood and physical stress, although remember that it can take up to six days for children to adapt to a new time schedule! This might look like re-establishing calm evening routines and morning rituals, and even using a visual timetables for little ones.

3. Practice the School Journey

Walk or drive the route to school together so your child knows what to expect. Help them notice things like the school gate or playground. Familiarity helps reduce uncertainty, and you can turn it into a positive adventure.

4. Role-Play School at Home

Children love to learn through play. Take turns being the “teacher” and the “pupil.” Pretend play helps your child rehearse routines and makes the idea of school feel fun and familiar.

5. Get Your Child Involved!

Giving your child ownership of small choices (of which you are happy with either outcome!) helps promote a sense of control and agency, which can reduce overwhelm. This might involve letting them pick their water bottle or lunchbox, practice putting on their uniform, or helping plan lunches the night before.

6. Create a Goodbye Ritual

Whether it’s a special wave, a hug, drawing ‘love buttons” on your wrist (a personal favourite for me and my daughter!), or a short phrase you always say, a predictable goodbye routine provides comfort and reassurance. Try to keep it brief and consistent.

7. Encourage Independence

Simple skills like putting on shoes, opening a lunchbox, or asking for help are powerful confidence-builders. Practice these together in a calm, supportive way.

8. Validate Their Feelings

If your child says they feel worried, acknowledge their feelings instead of brushing them aside. It can be easy to say something like “You’ll be fine” but normalising their nerves and even reflecting on times when you felt a similar way can be a way of opening the conversation to explore their feelings.

You might say something like, “It’s okay to feel nervous about something new, I remember feeling worried on my first day of school too. What do you think might be hard about it?”

Supporting Yourself as a Parent

It’s not just children who feel the weight of the first day of reception – parents often experience mixed emotions too! You may feel proud, excited, and hopeful, but also sad, anxious, or uncertain. These feelings are completely normal.

Some tips for parents include:

• Plan your morning so you don’t feel rushed. Calm energy helps your child feel more secure.

• Connect with other parents who may be feeling the same. Sharing experiences can be reassuring.

• Be kind to yourself – it’s a big transition for your family, and it’s okay to have strong emotions.

Remember: children pick up on our feelings. Showing calm confidence (even if you’re a bag of nervous on the inside!) can help your child feel steadier.

When to Seek Extra Support

Most children adjust to school within a few weeks, but if your child’s anxiety continues to affect their wellbeing (for example, if they experience ongoing distress, sleep difficulties, or physical complaints), it may be helpful to seek additional support.

At Little Steps Psychology Practice, we specialise in supporting children and families through early childhood transitions. We offer guidance for managing school anxiety, practical parenting strategies, and emotional support for parents.

Our goal is to help children feel secure, confident, and ready to learn – and to ensure parents feel equipped to support them along the way.

Final Thoughts

The first day of reception marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for your child. While it’s natural for both children and parents to feel nervous, preparation and emotional support make a big difference.

By building routines, talking openly, and validating feelings, you can help your child step into school with confidence. And if the transition feels challenging, you don’t have to manage it alone. At Little Steps Psychology Practice, we’re here to walk alongside you, one step at a time. Get in touch for a free 15-minute consultation if you’d like to learn how we can support you.