School Readiness Checklist

This checklist reflects the kinds of skills many NSW primary schools look for when children begin Kindergarten. Children do not need to master every item perfectly before starting school.

For children with birthdays between April and July, many NSW families consider both age and emotional maturity when deciding whether to start school or wait another year.

Social & Emotional Readiness

My child can:

separate from parents/carers without major distress
play alongside or with other children
take turns and share most of the time
follow simple rules and routines
cope with small disappointments such as not being picked for an activity or not winning when playing a game
ask adults for help when needed
wait patiently for several minutes for adult attention
express feelings using words
begin to regulate emotions after becoming upset
show curiosity and willingness to try new activities

Independence Skills

My child can:

use the toilet independently, including wiping and pulling up their own clothes
wash and dry their hands independently
open their own lunch containers and drink bottles
pack and unpack their school bag
recognise their own name in print
put on own shoes, jumper and hat with minimal help
put their jumper back the right way if it is inside out
recognise their own belongings
manage basic hygiene such as blowing their nose

Communication Skills

My child can:

speak in sentences that others understand
listen when someone is speaking
follow 2–3 step instructions
answer simple questions
participate in conversations
retell simple events or stories
respond to their own name

Learning Behaviours

My child can:

sit and focus on an activity for short periods
listen to a story from beginning to end
attempt tasks even when challenging
participate in group activities
show interest in books, drawing or problem-solving
begin recognising shapes, colours or some numbers through play

Physical Readiness

My child can:

hold crayons, pencils or paintbrushes comfortably
use scissors to cut along a straight line or cut simple shapes
draw recognisable pictures of people
run, jump and climb safely
manage stairs independently
carry their own bag
participate in playground activities safely

Questions to Consider Before Starting School

Does my child enjoy being around other children?
Can they cope with a structured routine for several hours?
Are they emotionally ready for bigger environments and expectations?
Do they recover reasonably well after becoming upset?
Would another year of preschool likely build confidence or engagement?

Important Reminder

Children are not expected to:

read before school or write sentences
know sight words
complete formal maths

Schools teach these skills from Kindergarten onward.

The strongest indicators of success are usually:

confidence
communication
resilience
independence
ability to participate in routines and relationships

The importance of school readiness to later student outcomes

A lack of readiness can impact on a child’s ability to grasp the literacy and numeracy concepts expected in Kindergarten, as well as meet the behavioural and social demands of the classroom and playground (Human Resources Development Canada 1997).

Source: The transition to school - Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation 2016

Please note that this checklist is a guide and may help you to determine areas in which your child might need additional practice before school begins. Children are not expected to be masters of everything on the list.

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