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School is not just a place where your children learn, grow and develop, it's also a place where they have social groups and a sense of routine.
Starting school may lead to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty for children. Changing from a home routine to a school routine can be daunting and children may struggle with different feelings and thoughts when they go into a classroom and meet new teachers and other children.
Changing schools, moving into another class or transitioning from primary to secondary school can also bring challenges for children and families.
There are tips and advice to help you and your child settle into school life and make the most of the opportunities they get from being at school.
Going to school
Top tips for starting school
- Make sure your child starts their day with a healthy breakfast.
- Go along to any open days or settling in days so your child knows what their class will look like and where to find toilets and coat pegs.
- Talk to your child about their teacher and children in their class.
- Tell them about school procedures like getting in to the school, following rules in the classroom, what to do at lunch time and what happens when the school day ends.
- Practise routines such as washing hands and ensure they know the importance of this.
- Practice putting on uniforms, packing school bags and lunch boxes.
- Show them the route they will take to school and make it fun for them, pointing out things like shops, post boxes, the street names and so on.
- Help your child to be school ready by reading, writing and counting with them and build their confidence socially.
- Talk about all the fun things they will be able to do at school and what they will enjoy learning and finding out.
Getting ready for school in Sandwell. Ready, Steady, Grow has been created to make sure all young people in Sandwell are school ready.
BBC Bitesize has lots of information for parents on starting primary school.
Latest information about schools in Sandwell.
Help with buying a school uniform
Help with travel costs in Sandwell
Support for children and families with special educational needs and disabilities.
Getting into a routine
- Encourage children to go to sleep and wake up at a regular time.
- Make sure they start the day with a healthy breakfast.
- Try to get into a habit of having regular mealtimes.
- Avoid snacking before bedtime.
- Switch of devices an hour before bedtime.
- Read a bedtime story with them.
Healthy sleep tips for children
Get children in to a healthy sleep routine.
Feeling anxious or worried?
Reflexions is a Mental Health Support Team (MHST). The service aims to help increase access to mental health support for children and young people in schools.
Information is available for children, young people, parents and carers.
Online mental wellbeing support for young people
support for young people in Sandwell
Early help and extra support for children and young people at school
Help for people experiencing mental health problems
Black Country Emotional Support Helpline
Freephone 0808 802 2288
Talk to someone or use the self help toolkit
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families support for children and young people struggling with anxiety.
Health and Wellbeing
Sandwell's 5 ways to wellbeing
top tips on supporting your wellbeing.
Sandwell directory of health and wellbeing services.
Health and wellbeing suppport in Sandwell.
NHS website to support teenagers with health and wellbeing.
Health and wellbeing resources for families.
Helpful advice on starting school and changes at school.