Is Your Child Ready for Nursery? A Parent’s Readiness Checklist

Your child should be able to understand and follow simple instructions like:

• “Put the toy in the box.”
• “Wash your hands.”
• “Come here.”

The ability to comprehend and act on these basic directions demonstrates that your child is developing essential listening skills and can process guidance from adults. When children can follow directions, it helps them participate in group activities, adapt to routines, and build the foundation for more complex learning as they grow. This readiness also boosts their confidence, as they feel accomplished when they successfully complete tasks on their own.

If your child can stay with a caregiver, grandparent, or in a playgroup without too many tears, that’s a great sign of emotional readiness. It shows they’re beginning to trust other adults and feel comfortable in places outside the immediate family circle.

While it’s entirely normal for young children to feel some separation anxiety at first, they should gradually be able to settle down, engage in new activities, and form bonds with caregivers or peers. This ability to adjust in a new environment, even if it takes a little time, means your child is building resilience and confidence—qualities that will help them thrive as they embark on their nursery journey. 

Most nurseries prefer that children are partially or fully toilet-trained. This allows teachers and staff to focus more on learning and play. Your child should:

• Be able to tell an adult if they need to go, either through words or simple signs.
• Wash hands after using the toilet
• Handle basic hygiene with a little help

If they’re not fully there yet, don’t stress — gentle, consistent training helps a lot. Every child develops at their own pace, and it’s natural for some to take a little longer. Encouragement and patience from both parents and caregivers make this skill easier to master.

Even if they’re not speaking full sentences, your child should be able to express:

• Hunger or thirst, such as indicating when they want a snack or a drink
• Needing the bathroom, by telling an adult or using simple words or signals
• If they’re feeling unwell or tired, so caregivers are aware and can offer comfort or appropriate care

Being able to communicate these basic needs clearly—using words, gestures, or even pointing—gives teachers and caregivers the information they need to keep your child comfortable and safe throughout the day. This form of basic communication is important for your child’s wellbeing and helps build trust and understanding between them and their teachers.

Whether it’s listening to a short story or doing a 5-minute craft, the ability to sit and focus for even a few minutes is a sign they’re ready for structured group activities. This skill shows that your child can participate, follow along, and benefit from classroom routines without constant redirection. Developing this attention span doesn’t happen overnight but can be gently encouraged at home. You can practice this by setting aside time for simple activities like puzzles, looking through picture books together, singing rhymes, or doing small art projects.

These moments help your child build concentration and patience, making the transition to a group setting easier and more enjoyable for them.

Nursery is all about learning with peers. Developing early social skills makes settling into a group setting much smoother for your child. If your child:

• Plays alongside other kids (even if not fully together), showing an interest in being part of the same space and activities
• Shares toys (occasionally!), indicating an ability to take turns and consider others’ feelings.
• Shows interest in group play, like joining circle time, following what others are doing.

It means they’re warming up to social environments. These small steps lay the foundation for teamwork, cooperation, and friendships, helping your child feel comfortable and happy in the company of others. 

A simple routine — like regular nap times, mealtimes, and bedtime — helps children adjust to a school schedule easily. When your child is already used to predictable daily patterns at home, the transition to a structured nursery environment feels much smoother. These familiar routines offer comfort, reduce anxiety about what’s coming next, and make adapting to new school rules less overwhelming. Additionally, following a routine builds your child’s confidence, as they learn to anticipate and prepare for activities throughout the day. This sense of order and expectation supports their overall wellbeing and sets a solid foundation for success at nursery.