To ask what a child needs to be able to do for starting pre school?

[worriedwinfred]

DS is 3 next month and is starting nursery/pre school 5 mornings a week in September.
I'm so worried about him, what does he need to be able to do?
He knows how to could to 10 but can't recognise the numbers very well.
Can sing the alphabet but doesn't recognise letters.
He doesn't draw/colour very well.
He is fully toilet trained and starting to clean his bottom however I definitely have to check.
He van het dressed but doesn't realise if things are inside put etc.
Does this sound ok. What else does he need to know I know it sounds so trivial but I worry about him struggling so much.

Sounds totally fine! My only goal was to be potty trained. Technically they take them regardless but I liked having a goal date.

They will (eventually) teach him numbers and letters but honestly that's what they focus on once in Reception.

My ds only knew a couple of colours and shapes at 3, and could barely do his own clothes if at all. He is starting Reception in Spetember and is miles ahead of where he was at 3.

He sounds perfectly ready :) try not to worry - for every child who can't do x,y or z, there will always be one who recites Shakespeare, so comparing is not helpful. As an early years teacher, the fact he can take himself to the toilet is the biggest thing!

Sounds perfect, the main thing is toilet training, once he has it covered, the rest is taught in Nursery.

My DD is starting school in September and what you've listed is more than what the school have asked about.

You really don't need to worry. Pre-school is more about socialising and learning how to play / share with other children .

Yes that sounds totally fine! My son started at 3 and many kids were still in pullups and couldn't recognise their own name.

i would say

put his own coat and shoes/socks on
take himself to the toilet be happy to ask if he wants to go.

thats it.

He's fine, there will be plenty there still in nappies etc. Him being toilet trained and able to dress himself will be a big plus. My son is 3.5 and had been at nursery a year, he can just about write his (very short and easy) name, though its more recognisable when I've written it in a light colour and he writes over the top. He can count but doesn't recognise the numbers and doesn't know the alphabet 🤷‍♀️ he'll be fine as will yours!

Ideally be potty trained plus able to put on coat, slip on shoes, wellies etc. Many can’t zip jackets etc but that’s ok.

They are there to learn and socialise so they become ready for school.

Get dressed and undressed.
Sit still and listen
Follow instructions - multipart like put bag away/ get XYZ and then sit on the carpet.
Listen
Be kind

Developmentally he sounds right on track and ready for preschool.
What about emotionally? Have you left him with others before? Is he used to other children?

I work in a pre-school. Knowing colours, numbers ect is not really important. There will be children of all abilities and it’s stiff they’ll learn along the way. Recognising their name is probably the only useful one for coat pegs or trays.
What is helpful is independence. So going to the toilet, washing own hands, being able to put shoes and coat on.
When you get 4 year olds who need to be promoted to do every little thing, or helped to do every self care task it can be difficult.

By preschool are you in Ireland, it is a must DC are toilet trained in Ireland, no nappy or pull up unless SEN.
Learning to take on and off jacket is an advantage too.

For pre-school?

Separate from Mum without a great deal of fuss every day.
Out of nappies if possible.
Communicate by some means or other.
Anything else is a bonus!

Toilet training is the main thing but handwashing and being able to put on shoes/coat would be good too.

It's definitely a relief to read these replies! Emotionally he's fine going out with aunties, uncles grandparents etc and he's definitely not shy but I do think he will be very nervous starting nursery. also loves other children but isn't a great sharer.

In pre school they don't need to be able to do very much of anything but the good to have skills all involve self care. Putting on shoes and coat, toilet trained if possible (including clear up, washing hands is best), able to articulate their needs (e.g. thirsty, cold, feeling sick). There are other things involving social skills but these are impossible to teach if a child isn't ready (taking turns, impulse control - so not lashing out, able to share etc, sitting still).

Oh recognising own name is a good one although they usually work on that anyway.

Things to aim for:
Recognise his name (that way he learns not to bring a labelled item belonging to another child home).
Potty trained
Wash hands
Can ask confidently when he needs the loo.
Has outgrown the biting phase (if he is in it now)

These are nice-to-have:
Sit still and listen during story time.
Finish lunch/snacks unaided

DD is 3 and has recently started preschool nursery.

She can go to the toilet unassisted and knows what her own name looks like written down so she knows what's hers (jumpers with name tags, coat peg etc)
She's been going for a term and has learnt days of the week and all the shapes she didn't know previously, she can count to 20 and knows her colours and is just starting to recognise what numbers look like.

I think that the toileting and recognising their own stuff/name is important for when they go. Everything else they learn when they are there

This is aimed at children who are about to start school but it gives you a starting point. I assume other authorities have something similar.
www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/early-years-childcare/ready-for-school/ready-for-school-in-derbyshire.aspx

Nothing, just happy to be left to play for a few hours.