School readiness is not just about academic skills—it’s about the whole child. From independence and self-care to communication, social skills, and a love for learning, these are the building blocks that help children succeed not just in school, but in life. 🌟
By nurturing confidence, curiosity, and resilience, we can support children to take their next steps with excitement and self-belief.
At Next Steps Childcare, school readiness is about so much more than reading and writing. It’s about supporting children to develop the confidence, resilience, and self-esteem they need to thrive. 🌱
We encourage independence, curiosity, and a willingness to have a go. Being “school ready” means building a strong foundation of core skills, including self-care, independence, understanding routines, social and emotional development, as well as gross and fine motor skills, listening, and understanding.
All of these skills come together to support early literacy, communication, and mathematical development.
⭐️Self care⭐️
▪️I can use the toilet independently 🚽
▪️I can wash and dry my own hands 🖐🏻
▪️I can blow my own nose 👃🏻
▪️I can ask for help if I feel unwell 🤒
⭐️Independence⭐️
▪️I can put my own coat on and off 🧥
▪️I can put my own shoes on and off 👟
▪️I can get change out of my clothes and put different ones on 👚
▪️I can pour my own drinks 🥛
▪️I can open my packed lunch box and eat independently 🥒
▪️I can use a knife and fork 🍴
▪️I can sit at a table when I eat 🪑
⭐️Social and Emotional⭐️
▪️I am confident being away from my mummy, daddy or main carer 👨👩👦
▪️I am able to express my emotions, thoughts and needs to be met 💬
▪️I am willing to try 👍
▪️I am able to turn take and share 🤝
▪️I can interact and play games with others 🎲
▪️I try to be a good friend
▪️I have persistence 💪🏻
▪️I can problem solve 💡
⭐️Gross and fine motor skills⭐️
▪️I have gained good muscle control in my hands ✋🏾
▪️I can hold a pen comfortably ✏️
▪️ I have good balance 🤸🏼♀️
▪️I am confident within climbing, jumping, and running 🏃♂️
▪️I am learning to manage my own risks ⛔️
⭐️Listening and understanding⭐️
▪️I can follow boundaries and routines 📋
▪️ I am able to sit still for a short while and listen👂
▪️I can follow instructions 💭
⭐️Literacy and Speaking⭐️
▪️I am understood when I talk 💬
▪️I am able talk about myself, my thoughts and feelings
▪️ I am exploring and interested in books, pictures stories, and music 🎶
▪️I am practicing to recognise my own name when it’s written down
⭐️Maths Skills⭐️
▪️I am aware of numbers and counting 🧮
▪️I join in with number words, songs and play 🎱
▪️I experiment with emptying and filling sand/water containers ⌛️
▪️I can recognise some written numbers 🅾️
▪️I look at numbers in my community 🏪
⭐️Routines⭐️
▪️I have practiced getting my uniform on and being ready to leave on time ⏰
▪️I have a good bedtime routine so I am not tired for school 😴
▪️I am learning to eat at the same time as I would at school 🍏
▪️I am making sure I have breakfast before I leave for school 🥞
