School Readiness Support

Our School Readiness Programs are designed for children in the year before school who would benefit from extra support to develop the social, emotional, communication, self-regulation, and functional skills that help make the transition to school feel safer and more successful. 

These programs are run collaboratively by our Early Childhood Consultant together with an Occupational Therapist and/or Speech Therapist, depending on the needs of the group. 

With a high adult-to-child support ratio, children receive individualised support while practising skills in a safe and supportive group environment. 

A warm, relational approach to school readiness 

We believe school readiness is about much more than sitting still, following instructions, or completing worksheets. 

True readiness grows from a child feeling:

• • • safe
    • connected
    • confident
    • understood
    • supported in their individual developmental pathway

Our programs use a play-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and relationship-focused approach to support each child’s development in meaningful and practical ways. 

Who this program is for 

This program may suit children who are: 

• • • preparing to start kindergarten 
    • needing support with transitions and separation from caregivers 
    • finding it hard to participate in group routines 
    • building confidence with peers 
    • developing communication and social interaction skills 
    • needing support with emotional regulation and coping in group settings 
    • working on independence with everyday preschool and school tasks 

What we work on 

Depending on the program goals, children may be supported to develop: 

Social skills 

• • • joining in with peers 
    • participating in shared and cooperative play 
    • building friendships 
    • group participation 

Communication skills 

• • • understanding and following routines 
    • engaging with stories, songs and shared activities 
    • expressing needs and ideas 
    • early language and interaction skills 

Emotional regulation 

• • • managing with transitions 
    • managing frustration 
    • building flexibility 
    • recognising and communicating feelings 

Functional and independence skills 

• • • following simple routines 
    • managing belongings 
    • early self-care and independence 
    • participating in table-top or floor-based activities 

Motor and sensory skills 

• • • fine motor development 
    • attention and body regulation 
    • sensory processing support 
    • foundations for classroom participation 

Why a collaborative team approach matters 

Our Preschool Readiness Programs are facilitated by an Early Childhood Consultant alongside an Occupational Therapist and/or Speech Therapist, allowing children to benefit from a blend of developmental, therapeutic, and practical early childhood expertise. 

This team approach helps us support children in a more holistic way by considering: 

• • • emotional wellbeing 
    • sensory and regulation needs 
    • communication development 
    • play skills 
    • participation in group environments 
    • everyday functional independence 

What sessions look like 

Sessions are structured to balance predictability, play, and supported challenge. Depending on the group, children may engage in: 

• • • welcome and transition routines 
    • shared play experiences 
    • group games and movement activities 
    • fine motor or table-top tasks 
    • stories, songs, and communication-based activities 
    • snack or self-help routines 
    • supported pack-up and goodbye routines 

Each session is designed to help children practise skills in a safe, supported environment with skilled adult guidance. 

Parent collaboration 

We know children do best when the adults around them feel supported too. Families may receive: 

• • • feedback about their child’s participation and strengths 
    • strategies to support carryover at home 
    • practical ideas to help with school transition 
    • recommendations for further support if needed 

Our philosophy 

Our programs are grounded in approaches that are: 

• • • child-centred
    • play-based
    • neurodiversity-affirming
    • trauma-informed
    • developmentally supportive

We focus on helping children build capacity through connection, co-regulation, and meaningful participation.