Blog Details

Part 1: Paperwork (4–6 weeks before)

Most of this is done at admission, but check nothing is pending.

• ☐ Admission form completed and signed
• ☐ Documents submitted — birth certificate, photos, address proof, vaccination record. Full list: documents required for preschool admission
• ☐ Fee receipt saved, and next due date noted in your phone
• ☐ Authorised pick-up list — names, photos and phone numbers of every adult who may collect your child. Include grandparents and any driver
• ☐ Emergency contacts — at least two besides parents
• ☐ Medical and allergy form — in writing, with your doctor’s number
• ☐ Photo / media consent — decide whether your child’s photos can be used on social media
• ☐ Transport form, if using school transport

Ask the school for: the term calendar, daily timings, the first-week schedule (many preschools start with short days), uniform and supply list, and how they’ll update you during the day.

Part 2: Health (3–4 weeks before)

• ☐ Vaccinations up to date — check with your paediatrician and get an updated record
• ☐ Routine check-up — eyes, ears, teeth. Hearing problems are often first noticed when a child starts school
• ☐ Allergies and medicines in writing — never rely on mentioning it at the gate
• ☐ Comfortable shoes that your child can put on (Velcro, not laces)
• ☐ A plan for sick days — who stays home if your child has a fever on a workday?

Starting preschool often means a few more colds in the first months as children meet new germs. That’s normal — our guide on season change, coughs and colds explains when to keep your child home.

Part 3: The bag (1–2 weeks before)

Keep it simple and light. A preschool bag should be small enough for your child to carry.

Daily bag checklist:

• ☐ Small backpack your child can open and close
• ☐ Tiffin box that opens easily (practise at home!)
• ☐ Water bottle with a spout your child can manage
• ☐ Napkin or small hand towel
• ☐ One full set of spare clothes in a zip bag — inner wear, shorts/pants, T-shirt, socks
• ☐ A second spare set if your child is still potty training
• ☐ Diapers and wipes, if needed (ask the school’s policy)
• ☐ A small comfort item, if the school allows

Avoid: expensive toys, sharp items, anything with small detachable parts, and heavy books.

Want your child to pack it themselves? Here’s how to teach your child to pack their own school bag — a great independence skill.

Part 4: Label everything (1 week before)

Preschoolers have identical water bottles, identical tiffins and identical sweaters. Label:

• ☐ Bag (inside and outside)
• ☐ Tiffin box and lid
• ☐ Water bottle
• ☐ Every item of spare clothing
• ☐ Sweater, cap, raincoat
• ☐ Shoes

Tip: add a small picture sticker as well as the name — your child can recognise their own things before they can read.

Part 5: Routine (2–3 weeks before)

The biggest first-day struggles are often about sleep, not school.

• ☐ Shift bedtime and wake-up gradually — 10–15 minutes earlier every few days until you reach school timings
• ☐ Practise the morning: wake, toilet, brush, breakfast, dress, shoes, out of the door
• ☐ Match mealtimes to the school’s snack time
• ☐ Do a trial run of the journey at school time

A predictable home routine helps enormously — see our simple daily routine for preschoolers.

Part 6: Small skills that make a big difference (practise for 3–4 weeks)

Your child doesn’t need to know letters or numbers. These everyday skills matter far more:

• ☐ Telling an adult “I need to go to the toilet”
• ☐ Washing and drying hands
• ☐ Opening their tiffin and water bottle
• ☐ Eating independently, even messily
• ☐ Putting on and taking off shoes
• ☐ Saying their name — and, as they grow, their parents’ names. Here’s how to teach your child their address and emergency information
• ☐ Asking for help — “Teacher, can you help me?”
• ☐ Sitting for a short story

More ideas: 10 everyday things your preschooler can learn to do independently.

Part 7: Emotional preparation (the most important part)

Talk about it positively — but not too much. A few mentions a day is plenty. Over-talking can increase anxiety.

Visit the school together at least once before the first day. Meet the teacher. See the toilet and the play area.

Read books about starting school, and play “school” at home with toys.

Use the teacher’s name at home. “Riya ma’am will be there.”

Plan a short, confident goodbye. A hug, a kiss, “I’ll pick you up after lunch,” and leave. Never sneak away — it breaks trust.

Expect tears — and know they pass. Most children settle within 2–3 weeks. Our guides on separation anxiety at preschool and preparing for the first day of school go deeper.

Look after yourself too. If you’re anxious, your child will notice. Have a plan for the first morning — maybe coffee with a friend — so you’re not sitting outside the gate.

Part 8: The first week

• ☐ Arrive on time — rushing makes children anxious
• ☐ Keep goodbyes short
• ☐ Be on time (or early) for pick-up in week one
• ☐ Keep afternoons calm — preschool is tiring
• ☐ Ask specific questions: “Who did you play with?” rather than “How was school?” (see how to teach WH questions through everyday conversations)
• ☐ Talk to the teacher if crying gets worse in week three rather than better

To know what your child’s day will look like, read what happens during a typical preschool day.