Starting school is an important and exciting milestone for children and their families. However transitioning to school can be a daunting process for everyone involved.

When children are aware of what’s going to occur and are kept informed, they feel much more confident and at ease. It’s important to keep your child in the loop and to prepare them for a change in routine.

The more information you have, the more prepared and ready you will feel. The first step is to decide upon a school  and then get your child enrolled.

Some schools also offer a transition program which begins prior to a school year, this can be helpful in alleviating anxieties for children.

To help your child get ready for school in the home environment you may want to think about a few things, a handy checklist can be helpful.

The Department of Education also provides a guide for getting ready for school and also provides specific information for parents of a child with a disability.