Getting ready for big school

School is a very big transition from preschool and will be much more demanding. Your child will be tired in term one, so please try to limit their after school activities. Teachers work hard to provide an optimum learning environment for the whole class, meaning that children will experience more structured and set learning times and play times. At OPS we have over 600 students spread out over a very large campus setting. There are separate play areas, but it can be very overwhelming at the start. OPS students and staff adhere to Department of Education (DoE) classroom and playground rules that are designed to keep everyone happy and safe.

School Readiness

In order to help prepare your child for school, it is important to know what is expected in the classroom and on the playground. Age-appropriate personal, social and emotional skills are vital. Your child will need to consistently follow teacher instructions and directions to allow learning for all students. Essential skills necessary for school include:

• playing cooperatively with other children
• sharing and taking turns
• taking care of their own belongings
• working independently
• listening and focusing during tasks
• following simple directions
• Initiating and maintaining conversations

Here are some simple and easy ways to prepare your child for starting school:

Movement skills

• Fine motor: Activities like colouring, cutting, and using playdough strengthen hand muscles for pencil grip and handwriting.
• Gross motor: Running, jumping, throwing, kicking, and catching build coordination and confidence for games and playground fun. Using playground and park equipment helps children understand personal space and control their movements around others.

Personal care and hygiene skills

• Use the toilet independently, including locking/unlocking the door and managing changing clothes in the event of an accident.
• Wash hands properly, blow/wipe their nose, and throw tissues away.
• Take jackets and jumpers on/off and fix sleeves when inside out.

Communication, interpersonal skills and self-advocacy

• Encourage your child to express their needs respectfully and practise turn-taking, sharing, problem-solving, and using polite words.
• Practise opening lunch containers and food packaging (e.g. yoghurt lids, chip bags).
• Give small jobs or chores to build listening and following instructions.
• Let them practise packing, carrying, and unpacking their school bag.
• Play simple board, card, or dice games to build cooperation, fairness, and resilience.
• Have regular conversations to practise turn-taking and polite communication (“ask and pass”).

Develop oral language and vocabulary

• Read together every day to build vocabulary and comprehension. Make connections between stories and your child’s own experiences.
• Share nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and rhyming books (like those by Aaron Blabey or Pamela Allen) to help children recognise sound patterns in words — an important early literacy skill.
• Focus on listening to and saying sounds in words rather than naming letters at this stage.

Reassure your child about starting school

• Talk about school as a safe, happy place full of new friends and fun learning.
• Acknowledge that new things can feel tricky but remind them they’ll get the hang of it!
• Read books and chat about what school will be like compared to preschool.

Use this checklist as a guide to determine your child's readiness for big school.

If you are unsure as to whether or not your child is ready for school we recommend coming along to our Kindergarten Transition Evening. This session will be advertised once dates are finalised.

Have a question for our principal or teachers?

Our friendly office team can help you get in touch.

Contact us