School Readiness Roadmap (PDF Guide)
A gentle, developmentally-led pathway to support your child in the year before starting school
Starting school can feel like a big step - for both you and your child.
There’s so much noise around what children 'should' be able to do… and it can quickly become overwhelming.
This guide is here to simplify it all.
The School Readiness Roadmap takes you step-by-step from the moment apply for a school place, when the places are released, all the way through to your child’s first day - focusing on what truly matters for a confident, successful transition.
Instead of pressure, checklists or unrealistic expectations, this roadmap is built on a deep understanding of child development - helping you support your child in a way that feels calm, purposeful and achievable.
Inside this guide, you’ll find:
✔ A clear, structured pathway for the development in the year before school (particularly in the months between school place & first day)
✔ Six key stages of development to focus on
✔ Weekly guidance that builds gradually over time
✔ Practical, real-life strategies you can use at home
✔ Support for independence, emotional regulation, social skills and learning behaviours
✔ Gentle prompts to help you observe and understand your child
✔ A balanced approach that keeps play at the heart of learning
This guide will help you:
Feel confident in how to support your child
Understand what actually matters before starting school
Move away from pressure and towards purposeful preparation
Create a home environment that encourages independence
Support your child emotionally as well as practically
Perfect for:
Parents with children starting school this year
Families wanting a calm, structured approach to school readiness
Those who feel unsure where to start or what to prioritise
Anyone wanting to support development without pushing too soon
Format:
This is a digital PDF guide - perfect to read on your desktop, phone, tablet or print at home.
A little note:
If you’re a Know & Play Member, this guide is included within your membership alongside additional support, ideas and guidance to help you bring it to life at home.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need a clear, supportive place to begin.