These are some ideas that will help things go smoothly:

• Make sure you attend the meeting and familiarisation day at school and read all the information you are given.
  
  
• Many schools have a school uniform.  If you need one make sure you buy it in good time and let your child dress up and show off to the family or friends.  You could take a picture and send or email it to other members of the family.  This will make your child feel special and happy to wear the necessary clothes.
  
  
• Decide how you are going to get to school and if there are any friends who are going the same way, even if the children are older.
  
  
• If you are going to walk then have a couple of practice runs so you know how long it takes.  Allow a little bit extra on the first morning as everything will be new and things may take a little longer.
  
  
• If you are going by car see if you can share transport duty with others and have a rota for delivering and collecting children on specific days.  This is more environmentally friendly and will save you money.
  
  
• Make sure your child has something for breakfast including a drink.  This will ensure they are ready and alert at the start of the day.
  
  
• Download the activity sheet on this website and go through it with your child.
  
  
• Try to be early for collecting your child in the first week or so.  This will stop your child worrying when it is time to go home. 
  
  
• On the way home have a chat about what your child has been doing at school during the day.  Some times they can’t remember so ask them lots of questions.