Parents Urged to Ensure Children Are School-Ready Before Starting Junior Infants

Starting school is a major milestone for children, parents, and educators in Ireland, as young students begin a journey toward independence, social interaction, and academic growth. Ahead of the first day of primary school, families face both emotional and practical preparations to ensure a smooth transition. One often-overlooked aspect of school readiness is basic self-care, particularly toilet training, which plays a crucial role in classroom confidence and teacher support.

A recent study in the United Kingdom has raised concerns about school readiness, with findings indicating that many children are arriving unprepared. According to the annual survey by early years charity Kindred Squared, one in four children starting reception class last year were not fully toilet-trained, with higher rates—36 percent—in the northeast of England. The report also highlighted that 28 percent of children could not eat or drink independently, while 25 percent struggled with essential life skills such as dressing themselves, sitting still, or using books correctly.

Irish psychologist Dr. Peadar Maxwell emphasizes that school readiness is not solely about reading or writing, but rather about fostering independence and life skills. Speaking from his practice in Wexford, he advises parents to focus on practical abilities, such as toileting, dressing, and hand hygiene, as these reduce classroom disruptions and support teacher-led learning. “Teaching preparedness is a life skill,” Maxwell says. “Parents should help children feel confident, happy, and relaxed in school by modelling positive behaviors and encouraging routine.”

He encourages gradual, patient teaching—such as allowing children to practice fastening buttons or opening clothing independently. Routines at home, including consistent mealtimes and bedtimes, can also help children adapt to school expectations. Maxwell suggests making learning feel joyful by introducing simple Irish words or fun educational activities like drawing, puzzles, or outdoor play.

Many parents reflect on their own experiences. Áine O’Rourke, a mother from Wexford, recalls struggling at school due to limited independence as a child. Determined to avoid similar challenges for her own children, now aged seven and nine, she ensured they could manage basic tasks like dressing, using the toilet, and eating lunch without assistance. “It’s so important—not just for the children, but for the teachers,” she says. “Their job is to educate, not to act as childminders.”

In the Republic of Ireland, school leaders report fewer concerns about toilet training, a trend often attributed to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which provides free pre-school education for children aged three to five. Colm Byrne, principal of Holy Family National School in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, praises the ECCE for improving school readiness. He notes that most junior infants are expected to be toilet-trained, with schools supporting other forms of independence, such as using Velcro shoes until children learn to tie laces.

Byrne highlights the impact on classroom time when children lack basic skills. “If a teacher has to tie a child’s shoelaces once a day, multiplied across a class, that’s 30 minutes of lost teaching time,” he explains. “Similarly, taking a child to the toilet daily can significantly reduce learning opportunities.” While acknowledging the value of initiatives like the hot school meals program, he calls for more support in developing essential life skills within schools.

As parents prepare their children for the start of school, experts stress that small, consistent efforts in daily routines can make a lasting difference in a child’s confidence and classroom success.

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