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Is my child ready for school? A gentle checklist for Nursery and LKG

8 November 2026 · 3 min read

"Is my child ready?" is a question almost every parent asks as the admission season arrives. The honest answer: readiness is not a test to pass. It is a picture of everyday skills, and children arrive at it at different times. Use this checklist as a conversation starter, not a scorecard.

Before you begin

Children aged 2 to 6 vary widely. A child who cannot do something yet is not "behind". Many of these skills grow quickly once a child is among other children and a kind teacher. If you have worries, ask your paediatrician or the school.

Feelings and getting along

  • Can your child be away from you for a short while with a trusted person, such as Nani or a neighbour?
  • Does your child sometimes show how they feel in words, a face or a gesture?
  • Can they play near other children, even if not yet with them?
  • Do they accept comfort when upset, even if it takes time?

Sharing and taking turns are still being learned at this age. See sharing and taking turns if you want ideas.

Talking and listening

  • Does your child use words or short sentences, in any language they use at home, to ask for things?
  • Can they follow a simple instruction like "Bring your bottle, please"?
  • Do they enjoy a rhyme or a story for a few minutes?

Looking after themselves

  • Do they tell you, or show, when they need the toilet? Accidents happen at school too, and most schools expect them in the early years. Ask your school about its toilet policy.
  • Can they try to wash and dry hands with a little help? See handwashing for small children.
  • Can they try to eat from their tiffin, or open it with help?
  • Can they take off a jacket or shoes with help?

Using hands and body

  • Can they run, climb a step, kick or throw a ball?
  • Do they enjoy scribbling, tearing paper, squeezing playdough or stringing big beads (supervised)?

Hand strength comes before writing. See pencil grip and first writing.

Curiosity

  • Do they ask "what" and "why"?
  • Do they point out colours, shapes, animals or numbers sometimes?
  • Do they enjoy pretend play?

Knowing letters and numbers is useful but is not required to be "ready". Schools at this level mostly teach through play and stories.

How to help in the weeks before school

  1. Build a routine: sleep and wake at times close to school hours.
  2. Visit the school or the gate a few times so it feels familiar.
  3. Practise tiffin and bottle at home.
  4. Read or tell stories about children going to school.
  5. Say goodbye the same way each time: a hug, a phrase, a wave, then leave. Long goodbyes make it harder. More in first days at playschool.

When to ask for advice

Talk to your child's doctor or teacher if your child seems to have difficulty hearing, is not using words by about the age you would expect, has very few ways of showing what they want, or has lost skills they once had. Early help is helpful and there is no shame in asking.

How Child Runway helps

Child Runway offers 2 to 5 minute story lessons by class (Playgroup, Nursery, LKG, UKG), with a song and a game after each. Your child answers, moves and sings along, and you get something to try at home after each lesson. There are no ads, no tracking of children and no chat, and it works offline.