Get ready for Primary School

5 - 11 years

Now that your child has begun their journey in Primary school. There's lots of things you can support them with to help them feel content, happy and want to go to school.

Helping a child aged 5–11 continue to thrive in school involves building independence, confidence, and curiosity through everyday routines and playful learning.

How you can help at home

• Routines: Create consistent bedtime and morning routines to reduce stress. Make Bedtime Easier.
• Responsibilities and being organised: Tidying up, putting things out, packing a school bag with books, lunch and drinks bottle.
• Self Care and building independence: Getting dressed by themselves, managing buttons,  zippers and shoes.
• Eating: Encourage healthy eating at home, with healthy food suggestions on Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
• Strengthen reading and communication skills: Read books together, join your local library, talk about their day, ask questions, listen.
• Writing practice: Encourage drawing, painting and playing with malleable materials to help improve fine motor skills to prepare for pencil grip to support with early writing skills. For older children practice labelling pictures, cutting, or writing short notes to strengthen fine motor skills.
• Online Safety: Talk to your child about the importance of staying safe online. Hwb has a range advice for families.
• Classroom environments: Practice journeys to school, meet teachers and visit classrooms.
• Discuss school positively: Frame it as an exciting adventure rather than something daunting.
• Friendship building: Arrange playdates or group activities to help them learn co-operation.
• Gentle homework commitments: Use curiosity through play, puzzles to help spark problem solving skills and dedicate time to completing. Homework Hacks.
• Being road safe: Keeping your child road safe is hugely important once they start to establish their own independence. Road Safety Wales has lots of information on how to walk safely to school. Rospa also have a handy guide for families

Why it matters for attendance

The Council's #NotInMissOut campaign celebrates the varied benefits of going to school every day. Search the hashtag on social media to find out what is happening at your local school.

Reminders for getting ready for School Admissions

Children normally start primary school at the start of the school year in which their fifth birthday falls (i.e. 1 September to 31 August inclusive). Apply for Reception.

Children normally transfer from primary to secondary school at the start of the school year in which their twelfth birthday falls (i.e. 1 September to 31 August inclusive). Apply for Secondary.