Visit the school as many times as possible before your child starts:
Many schools have summer fairs or open days, and these can be good ways to familiarise yourself with the school, in addition to any formal visits.
Take photos:
Make sure you have permission before you take any photos of people, especially in and around schools, other children and members of the wider public.
Once you have permission, consider taking pictures of any key people who will be with your child in school. Examples may include a class teacher, teaching assistant, dinner/lunch staff, headteacher, lollipop person. This may help your child to become more familiar with the key people they will be around.
Use visual supports:
Use visual supports to reinforce what to expect during the school day – for example pictures of the cloakroom, toilets, lunch area, playground and where they will sit in class.
Making reasonable requests:
Perhaps ask the school for a timetable before your child starts in September and look at this with your child during the summer holidays. Please note that not all schools will be able to do this and it will depend on when each school create their timetables.
Use social stories:
These are short descriptions of a particular activity, event, or situation so that your child will know what to expect in their school day.
Ensure visual supports are available:
If your child uses visual supports such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) then it is important that this is available at school.
Practise morning routines:
Practise morning routines in advance and get things ready the night before.
Use a calendar:
Use a calendar during the summer to encourage your child to count down to the start day.
Change into the Uniform:
Some families have laid out their child’s uniform and practised changing into it. Also did the walk or bus or car or train to school over the summer holidays, and this helped.