School readiness checklist and activities

School readiness is about nurturing the whole child. It goes beyond early literacy and numeracy to include the social, emotional and physical building blocks that help children thrive inside and outside of the classroom.

The good news is that preparing for primary school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With simple, play-based activities woven into everyday routines, children can build the essential skills needed while enjoying meaningful time with their parents and educators.

In this guide, you’ll find a practical school readiness checklist along with engaging school readiness activities for preschoolers linked to the Early Years Learning Framework. Use them to recognise your child’s strengths, foster their growth, and spark excitement for kindergarten!

Download our free school readiness checklist.

What is school readiness?

School readiness refers to preparing young learners for the realities of ‘big school’ through activities that foster cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.

With the right approach, children will feel capable and comfortable as they make the transition to more structured education.

Why is school readiness important?

School readiness is key to early learning and development, helping children build the core skills, confidence, and coping strategies needed to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

By learning how to follow routines, participate in group activities, communicate their needs, and manage new expectations, children feel more secure and well-equipped from day one.

Moreover, high-quality school readiness programs allow educators to identify and support each child’s strengths and challenges early.

This proactive approach can help children adjust to classroom settings, build positive attitudes towards learning, and develop behaviours that support lifelong achievement.

Ultimately, a school readiness program lays the foundation for success not only in their first year of big school but throughout a child’s entire educational journey.

School readiness and the Early Years Learning Framework

In Australia, school readiness can be fostered and monitored through the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), our national guide for how children learn, grow, and experience the world in their younger years.

This framework shapes the way educators can support children from birth to age five, as well as during the important transition into school. At its heart, the EYLF ensures that every child is nurtured through meaningful, play-based experiences that honour their individuality and help them feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.

It encourages educators to build strong relationships with families, understand each child deeply, and create learning opportunities that support the whole child, socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively.

For families, the EYLF helps explain how everyday play and gentle guidance support real learning. As a parent, you can rest assured that your child is being cared for in an environment that recognises their strengths, celebrates their curiosity, and supports their wellbeing as they prepare for school and beyond.

EYLF learning outcomes

1. Children have a strong sense of identity: Children feel secure, known, and supported. They develop confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging through warm and trusting relationships.
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world: Children learn to care for others, respect their environment, and understand their place within their community. They begin to appreciate fairness, empathy, and responsibility.
3. Children have a strong sense of well-being: Children experience emotional safety, resilience, and physical health. They learn to understand and express their feelings while developing habits that support lifelong wellbeing.
4. Children are confident and involved learners: Children explore with curiosity and joy. They experiment, solve problems, make decisions, and build persistence through play that feels meaningful and engaging to them.
5. Children are effective communicators: Children express themselves through language, movement, creativity, and play. They build early literacy and numeracy skills while learning to communicate confidently in ways that feel natural and authentic.

Learn more about EYLF outcomes.

Is my child ready for school?

You’ll know your child is ready for school when they can confidently manage a mix of social, emotional, physical, and early learning skills that help them adapt to a classroom environment.

School readiness isn’t only about knowing how to read, write, or do maths before kindergarten. It also revolves around whether your child can follow routines, communicate their needs, get along with peers, manage emotions, and participate in group activities.

Our educators generally look for signs such as curiosity, the ability to focus on a task, basic self-care skills, respect for boundaries, and a willingness to try new things. These everyday behaviours often provide a clearer picture of readiness than age alone.

Importantly, assessing your child holistically is key.

Consider their confidence, resilience, play skills, communication style, and physical capabilities, such as fine motor control and coordination. Every child develops at their own pace, so it’s normal for strengths and weaker areas to appear alongside each other.

If you’re unsure, our school readiness checklist will help highlight how your child is progressing across these domains.

It can also pinpoint areas where a little extra practice or support may make their transition into school smoother, happier, and more successful!

An EYLF-aligned school readiness checklist

Cognitive skills

EYLF Outcome: 4 – Children are confident and involved learners

Cognitive skills are the logical and critical thinking skills children use to learn, make sense of the world, and remember information. These skills play a big role in helping children feel capable when they start kindergarten, supporting everything from problem-solving to focus.

Cognitive skills for school readiness

• Problem-solving: Your child uses simple logic and reasoning to work through everyday challenges, such as figuring out how a toy works or how to complete a task.
• Paying attention: Your child can focus on an activity for short periods, especially when it’s engaging or play-based.
• Numbers and counting: Your child can count to at least 10 and start to understand what numbers represent, such as recognising that “more” or “less” relates to quantity.
• Categorising and sequencing: Your child recognises basic shapes and colours, notices simple patterns, and can sort or match objects into groups.

Cognitive skill-building activities for preschoolers

• Counting games: Counting toys, blocks, steps, or snacks is a fun way to introduce numbers in everyday moments. Songs, rhymes, and counting games make learning feel natural and enjoyable.
• Puzzles: Puzzles and simple strategy games help children practise thinking, planning, and persistence. These activities support spatial awareness and encourage children to keep trying when things feel tricky.
• Sorting and grouping: Invite your child to sort everyday items like socks, blocks, or buttons by colour, size, or shape. This strengthens logical thinking and builds early maths concepts such as grouping and quantity.
• Simple science experiences: Activities like mixing colours, planting seeds, or observing nature spark curiosity and encourage children to ask questions. Hands-on exploration helps develop early scientific thinking and a love of learning.

Language and literacy

EYLF Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

Early literacy experiences lay the groundwork for both speaking and reading success, helping children get ready for classroom learning.

By supporting vocabulary development, clear communication, and early sound awareness, you’re giving your child the tools they need to enjoy reading, express their ideas, and connect with others.

Language and literacy skills for school readiness

• Reading and writing: Your child has a growing awareness of letters and numbers, recognises some simple words, and enjoys playing with sounds. They can identify rhyming words and beginning sounds in familiar words.
• Conversing clearly: Your child can use full sentences to share their thoughts and can usually be understood by adults and other children.
• Listening and understanding: Your child is able to listen, follow simple instructions, and respond appropriately to basic questions.
  Asking and answering questions: Your child feels comfortable asking questions when something doesn’t make sense.

Language and literacy skill-building activities for preschoolers

• Alphabet games: Hands-on activities like letter puzzles, scavenger hunts, or forming letters in sand or trays make learning the alphabet fun and interactive. Age-appropriate apps and phonics games can also support letter and sound recognition when used in moderation.
• Storytime and role-playing: Reading aloud and acting out stories helps expand vocabulary, improve understanding, and strengthen expressive language.
• Rhyming practice: Singing nursery rhymes or creating playful rhymes together helps children tune into sounds in words while also supporting memory and listening skills.
• Name recognition: Encourage your child to recognise and practise writing their own name. This builds confidence and creates a meaningful connection to early writing.

Motor skills

EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being.

Strong motor skills help children perform key tasks throughout their school day. From holding a pencil and cutting with scissors to running, climbing, and playing on the playground, motor development supports both learning and well-being.

These skills also play a creative role, allowing children to express ideas through drawing, painting, building, and movement. When children feel physically capable, they are better able to focus, participate, and enjoy their early learning experiences.

Fine motor skills involve the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists. These skills support important classroom activities like writing, drawing, cutting, and manipulating small objects.

On the other hand, gross motor skills relate to whole-body movement, balance, and coordination. Helping children build strength, control, and physical independence, these abilities are essential for playground play, active learning, and everyday movement.

Motor skills for school readiness

• Moving confidently: Your child can run, jump, hop, and climb with control and enjoyment.
• Throwing and catching: Your child can throw and catch a ball, developing coordination and spatial awareness.
• Balancing: Your child can balance on one foot for a few seconds and maintain stability during movement.
• Navigating spaces: Your child can manage stairs, uneven ground, and simple obstacles safely.
• Holding writing tools: Your child holds a pencil or crayon with a developing, comfortable grip.
• Cutting with scissors: Your child can use child-safe scissors to cut along a straight line.
• Drawing and tracing: Your child draws simple figures, such as a person with a head, body, and limbs, and enjoys tracing shapes, letters, or numbers.
• Managing fasteners and small objects: Your child can use buttons or snaps and manipulate small items like beads or buttons with growing control.

Motor skill-building activities for preschoolers

• Shaping, squashing and sculpting: Using dough or clay to press, roll, and form shapes helps strengthen fingers while encouraging imaginative play.
• Paper crafts: Providing safe scissors and a variety of paper materials allows children to practise controlled hand movements and build confidence with cutting.
• Lacing and threading: Threading beads or lacing cards supports coordination, focus, and fine motor precision.
• Independent utensil use: Encouraging children to use cutlery during meals builds grip strength and coordination in everyday routines.
• Obstacle courses: Creating simple obstacle paths indoors or outdoors encourages climbing, crawling, balancing, and problem-solving.
• Animal play: Pretending to move like different animals builds muscle strength, coordination, and body awareness in a fun way.
• Ball play: Rolling, throwing, and catching soft balls or beanbags supports timing, coordination, and spatial awareness.
• Dancing: Dancing freely to favourite songs helps children explore rhythm, balance, and body control while enjoying creative expression.
• Outdoor exploration: Walking, running, and climbing in natural environments supports physical development while fostering curiosity and confidence.

Social & emotional skills

EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being

As they step into kindergarten, children begin spending time away from familiar caregivers, sharing space with peers, and finding words for how they feel. Social and emotional development helps children feel secure, confident, and willing to take part in the school day.

Through these skills, children learn how to form friendships, cope with big feelings, and navigate new routines with resilience. Children are better equipped to settle into the classroom, build positive relationships, and thrive both academically and personally.

Social and emotional skills for school readiness

• Separating calmy: Your child can transition away from a parent or caregiver and settle into activities without ongoing reassurance.
• Connecting with peers: Your child shows interest in playing with other children, joining group play, and interacting comfortably during playdates or shared activities.
• Cooperating with others: Your child shares resources, takes turns, and demonstrates basic manners during group play and social interactions.
• Expressing needs and feelings: Your child can communicate their thoughts, emotions, and needs respectfully, including asking for help when something feels challenging.
• Regulating emotions: Your child is developing strategies to manage frustration, disappointment, or excitement and can begin calming themselves when emotions run high.
• Showing empathy and kindness: Your child notices how others are feeling and responds with care, understanding, and compassion.
• Joining in music and movement: Your child takes part in songs, rhythm, and movement with others, building confidence and connection.
• Adapting to change: Your child can handle transitions, new routines, or unfamiliar settings with increasing flexibility and confidence.

Social and emotional skill-building activities for preschoolers

• Playdates: Spending time with other children in relaxed, shared play helps your child learn how to take turns, cooperate, and navigate social situations. These experiences support confidence and comfort in group settings.
• Story reflection: Reading and talking about books helps children understand language and emotions. By discussing characters’ feelings and gently modelling correct sentences, children build empathy, listening skills, and emotional awareness.
• Action-based games: Games that involve listening and responding encourage children to pause, pay attention, and follow instructions. These playful moments strengthen self-control and cooperation.
• Board games: Simple board games introduce structure, turn-taking, and rules, while helping children cope with winning and losing. These skills support patience, focus, and emotional resilience at school.
• Meditative games: Quiet activities such as deep breathing, gentle stretching, colouring, or puzzles help children learn how to calm their bodies and manage big feelings in healthy ways.

Creative skills

EYLF Outcome 4 – Children are confident and involved learners
EYLF Outcome 5 – Children are effective communicators

Creative expression is where learning truly comes to life for young children. Through art, movement, and imaginative play, children explore who they are, how they feel, and how the world works. These creative experiences build confidence, spark curiosity, and encourage flexible thinking.

Creative experiences also support problem-solving, communication, and emotional regulation, all of which are essential for a smooth transition into kindergarten.

Creative skills for school readiness

• Pretend play: Your child enjoys imaginative play, creating their own scenarios and roles either independently or with others.
• Story telling: Your child creates and shares stories using their imagination, supporting language development and creative thinking.
• Sharing ideas through art: Your child explores drawing, painting, singing, and other creative mediums as a way to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

Creativity-building activities for preschoolers

• Imaginitive role play: Make-believe games like playing families, shops, or schools help children explore social roles, practise empathy, and build communication skills. These experiences also support understanding different viewpoints and navigating social interactions.
• Loose parts play: Provide open-ended materials such as sticks, stones, cardboard boxes, fabric, or recycled items. Loose parts encourage children to design, build, and invent without rules, supporting problem-solving and creative thinking.
• Sensory play: Activities using playdough, sand, water, slime, or textured materials invite exploration through touch and movement. Sensory play encourages creativity while also helping children regulate emotions and focus.
• Arts and crafts: Drawing, painting, and building with a range of materials encourage children to experiment and express themselves freely. Open-ended art experiences support creative thinking, confidence, and a willingness to try new ideas.

Basic independence skills

EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being

To attend kindergarten, children need to manage more things on their own throughout the day. Encouraging and everyday self-help skills independence at home can ease separation anxiety, build confidence, and support a positive sense of self.

Signs of independence for school readiness

• Knowing their own name: Your child can recognise their name when it is spoken or written. This helps them feel a sense of belonging when they see their name on their bag, artwork, or classroom spaces.
• Remembering core details: Your child is familiar with daily routines and can recall simple personal information, such as their address or phone number.
• Performing basic self-care tasks: Your child can manage everyday needs like using the bathroom, washing their hands, and getting dressed with minimal support. They can pack and unpack their own bag and use their lunchbox and water bottle independently.
• Understanding basic safety rules: Your child is beginning to understand simple safety expectations, such as staying with the group, listening to adults, and following basic rules.

Independence-building activities for preschoolers

• Help with mealtimes: Ask your child to take care of simple tasks like spreading butter, pouring water, or setting the table. These little moments encourage responsibility and fine motor skills.
• Getting ready games: Support your child to put on their shoes, zip their jacket, and pack their backpack. Practising these steps in a fun way, like using countdowns or Simon Says, as part of a daily routine helps build confidence and independence.
• Solo bathroom visits: Ensure your child feels confident using the toilet, washing their hands, and following basic hygiene routines on their own. Regular practice at home helps these skills feel natural at school.

Prepare your little one for lifelong learning with Juniors Journey

Starting school is a major milestone for the whole family. With the right support, it can be a smooth and successful transition.

When children have the chance to build key skills early on, they step into their first year of school feeling confident, curious and ready to grow.

At Juniors Journey, our qualified Early Childhood Teachers guide children through a government-approved preschool program that focuses on building strong foundations for future education.

To nurture cognitive, physical, social and emotional development, we partner closely with families to make sure every child feels prepared for their next chapter.

If you live in Gateshead, Mildura, or Eglinton, our early learning centres offer a warm and welcoming start to your child’s education. Book a tour, enrol your child today or get in touch with our friendly team today!