Understand school entry testing, build essential early literacy skills, and give your child a calm, confident start to school
Created by a primary teacher with 14+ years’ experience, this is the only parent guide designed to mirror what schools assess—packed with evidence-based, play-led routines that fit naturally into busy family life.
See what others like you are saying about...Ready for School: A Parent's Guide to Literacy-Based Entry Assessments
Finally—simple, practical, and exactly what we needed for entry testing.
Anna, parent of a 5-year-old
The 4-week challenge was great—my son grew in confidence fast.
Liam, parent of a Prep child
I understood what teachers meant for the first time. Highly recommend.
Sarah, parent
Great resource for parents but also for us early educators too.
Agnes, 4-year-old preschool teacher
Such a relief. This finally explained what Prep teachers actually look for — in plain English.
Michael, parent of a Prep student
My daughter went from nervous to excited. The activities were fun and made a huge difference.
Emily, parent of a 4-year-old
As a kindergarten teacher, I wish every parent had this before school assessments.
Julia, kindergarten teacher
Everything finally clicked — I felt prepared, and so did my son. Worth every minute.
Tom, parent
Clear, reassuring, and practical. It gave us confidence during a stressful time.
Rebecca, parent of twins
Feeling unsure what your child needs to start school confidently? You’re not alone…
Most literacy guides give general advice—but they don’t show you exactly what teachers assess during entry testing or in the first weeks of schooling.
- ❗“We have mandatory entry testing coming up—what will teachers actually check?”
- ❗“I want to make sure my child is ready without overdoing it.”
- ❗“I don’t have hours to spend on worksheets or complicated programs.”
- ❗“I want activities that actually support what teachers observe in class.”
What You Get — A Clear, Teacher-Designed Guide to Starting School with Confidence:
Ready for School is an easy-to-understand, thoughtfully structured PDF guide that helps you make sense of what teachers assess — during school entry and in the first months of Prep.
Grounded in the Science of Learning and Growth Mindset research, it breaks down the eight essential literacy skills every child builds in the early years, and shows you exactly how to support them at home.
Inside, you’ll find 70+ pages of practical, reassuring guidance, including:
✔️ Clear explanations
What teachers look for during entry assessments and the first term — written in plain language so you always know what matters and why.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies
Simple, effective ways to support early literacy at home, designed to fit naturally into busy family life.
✔️ Play-based, everyday activities
A full toolkit of activities modelled on real classroom tasks, so your child becomes familiar with the kinds of experiences they’ll encounter at school.
✔️ Work samples and exemplars
Concrete examples that help you recognise developing skills and understand what progress looks like.
✔️ Printable teacher tools
Checklists, rubrics, recording sheets and parent scripts — giving you the confidence to notice strengths, identify next steps, and support your child meaningfully.
✔️ Confidence-building guidance
Tips to nurture independence, resilience and a positive approach to learning and school routines.
BONUS: 4-Week Literacy Launchpad
A simple, ready-made plan ideal for the school holidays or the month before starting school.
It helps your child:
- become comfortable with tasks similar to those used in entry assessments
- build confidence through short, enjoyable learning experiences
- stay engaged and maintain momentum over the break
- strengthen the literacy foundations that set them up for success
The Outcome?
A calmer start to school — for everyone.
Ready for School gives you the clarity, confidence and classroom-aligned tools to support your child as they begin their learning journey.
A confident child.
A clearer path.
A smoother, more settled start to Prep.
Questions Parents Often Ask…
Q: Is this just another generic school readiness guide?
A: No. This guide is aligned with what teachers assess during school entry testing and the first months of school—so your child is prepared for what truly matters.
Q: Will this match our school’s testing?
A: Yes. It covers the eight core literacy skills that teachers universally assess in early years classrooms. These skills are essential across English-speaking countries and in both public and private schools. Focusing on these ensures your child is well-prepared, regardless of the school or curriculum.
Q: What age is it for?
A: 3.5–6 years (preschool, kindergarten, early years). Perfect for children starting school or needing a confidence boost.
Q: Is it still useful if my child has already started school?
A: Yes. It’s most useful before school starts but also supports the core literacy skills taught in Semester 1 (and beyond)—helping you understand classroom learning while filling gaps, boosting confidence, and supporting learning at home.
Q: Do I need to teach every skill?
A: No. Use the sections that match your child’s needs and interests—the guide is flexible and easy to adapt.
Q: Will this be too pushy?
A: No. Focuses on gentle exposure, play, and confidence-building—no forced drilling.
Q: Is this guide evidence-based?
A: Yes. Each section is grounded in the Science of Reading, early childhood development research, and Growth Mindset principles. The eight core skills reflect what decades of evidence show children need for strong early literacy—phonological awareness, vocabulary, comprehension foundations, and print knowledge—and confident learning.
Q: How long do activities take?
A: Most are 5–10 minutes and fit naturally into your daily routine.
Q: How do I download it?
A: Instant PDF via email, no complicated steps. Start supporting your child today.