My preschooler isn’t ready to start school - what now?

Hearing that your preschooler may not be ready to start school can feel incredibly emotional.

For some parents, it comes as a complete shock.
For others, it confirms concerns they’ve quietly been carrying for a while.

Either way, it can leave families wondering:

• What happens now?
• Should we delay school?
• Who can help?
• What support is available?

Anika and I spoke to experienced prep teacher and Ready Wrens founder Jacqui on the Between Us Mums podcast about school readiness and kinder repetition, and one of the most reassuring things she reminded parents was this:

There is nothing wrong with raising a concern.

You do not have to sit with worries about your child on your own.

Who can help if my child may not be ready for school?

If educators have raised concerns, or you’re noticing challenges yourself, there are several people who can help support your child and guide decision-making.

This may include:

• kindergarten directors / leaders
• Preschool Field Officers (PSFOs)
• inclusion support services
• prep teachers
• speech pathologists
• occupational therapists
• paediatricians 
• psychologists or allied health professionals

Depending on where you live, kindergarten educators may seek advice from specialist inclusion and school readiness support services. Jacqui explained that in Victoria, Preschool Field Officers (PSFOs) often work closely with kindergarten services to observe children, identify areas where support may help and make recommendations throughout the year. Other states and territories have different programs and specialist teams that provide support and advice with regards to inclusion and school readiness. Conversations with these support teams are designed to support education providers, children and families early on.

What if I disagree with the recommendation?

This is more common than many parents realise. Sometimes families receive advice to delay school or repeat kinder but still feel uncertain about what to do next. Jacqui encouraged parents to:

• keep asking questions
• gather information from multiple professionals
• attend school transition sessions
• observe how their child responds
• trust their instincts as parents

You know your child best.

Importantly, the final enrolment decision still belongs to parents.

What support can schools provide?

Many schools can offer additional support for children transitioning into prep, depending on the child’s needs. This may include:

• wellbeing support
• learning support programs
• speech pathology support
• classroom adjustments
• additional transition visits
• communication between educators and families

Jacqui also encouraged parents to ask schools directly what support systems are available before school starts.

Why early conversations matter

One of the strongest messages throughout the podcast was the importance of early communication. Jacqui explained that school readiness conversations should not suddenly appear at the end of the year without warning. Instead, families and educators should ideally work together throughout the preschool/kindergarten year to:

• identify concerns early
• monitor progress
• build skills gradually
• support the child collaboratively

And if you already have concerns as a parent? It’s okay to bring them up.

You don’t want to sit with that concern or worry.

A word of reassurance

One of the most comforting parts of our conversation with Jacqui was the reminder that there is support available and that no single decision determines your child’s entire future.

Children develop at different rates.
Families have different needs.
And sometimes there simply isn’t one perfect answer.

Most importantly, needing extra support or extra time does not mean your child has failed or that you have failed as a parent. As Jacqui reminded us:

“Everything will be okay in the end.”

And sometimes, hearing that is exactly what we parents need most.