Is my child ready for school? A practical milestones checklist
2 min read Last reviewed October 2026 Checked against official guidance
School readiness is less about reading and writing and more about confidence, independence and getting along with others. Reception teachers tend to focus on a handful of everyday skills, which we list below.
Toileting
Top of most teachers' lists
Coat & shoes
Managing them alone
15 January
Usual reception application deadline
In this guide
1
Independence
- Uses the toilet and washes hands independently
- Puts on own coat and shoes (with some help for fastenings)
- Recognises their own name and belongings
- Opens a lunchbox and eats with cutlery
2
Social and emotional
- Takes turns and shares with some support
- Can say when they need help
- Copes with short separations from parents
- Follows simple two-step instructions
3
Communication and early learning
- Speaks in short sentences and can be understood
- Enjoys stories and joins in with rhymes
- Shows interest in mark-making and drawing
- Counts and notices numbers in everyday life