Preparing for nursery or school Eileen Hayes Starting a new nursery or class marks a big change in your child's life, and it helps to prepare.

There are lots of ways in which you can prepare your child for the world of nursery and/or preschool.

• Visit the nursery or school with your child to give him an opportunity to see what the class does
• Walk past at break-time to show children playing happily outside
• Explain what will happen during the day
• Read books together about children starting school or nursery
• Point out any friends or cousins who've recently started school or nursery and talk about the fun they're having
• Talk about your child's interests and the things he'll enjoy there - for example "there'll be lots of sand to play with - you'll love that" or "there'll be story time"
• Talk about the enjoyable activities he'll be doing that build on things he already does at home - painting, drawing, cutting and pasting and listening to stories, for example

Before his first day, you may also want to check the following with the nursery or school:

• What's the usual daily routine?
• How long can you stay once you've dropped off your child?
• Do they require your child to be toilet trained?
• Are there any routines you can practise in advance, such as resting after lunch?

There are also practical ways you can help your child settle in quickly:

• Point out the structure and routines in a day at home - "now it's our lunchtime and at school you'd be eating your lunch too"
• Practise doing up buttons and fastening shoes, but don't worry or pressure him if this proves too difficult (nursery and reception class teachers are used to helping children in the early days)
• Practise social skills, such as taking turns, following directions and making choices
• Visit friends with children or invite other children to play
• Teach simple chores that may be useful at nursery, such as packing away toys
• Help your child to recognise his name - most children can't read or write yet, but they may be able to recognise the first letter of their name or even the whole thing

Remember, all these activities should be fun - it's important not to pressurise your child. If you're making your child in the least bit anxious, stop talking about it quite so much.

The first day

The first day of school is one of your child's biggest milestones. How he reacts depends on his life up to this point. If he's been at home all the time, he may feel it's a huge change. If he's already been in a form of childcare outside the home, he'll be prepared to some extent. And if he's been to nursery at the same school, the switch to a preschool or reception class is likely to provoke little fuss.

However, there are still ways to prepare your child for the big event.

• Talk together about school and listen to any worries he may have
• Include him in shopping trips to buy his school uniform or a fun lunchbox
• Be upbeat and positive - don't pass any of your worries to your child
• Be informed - find out as much as possible about how the school works

The school will almost certainly give you information on any items your child needs, such as PE kit, and what happens at break time and lunch time, but be sure you ask if you have any queries.