Starting school is a big step, and being ready involves much more than knowing letters and numbers.
Children are learning to manage new routines, follow instructions, use classroom tools, look after their belongings, join in with others and navigate a busy new environment.
Our School Readiness Assessment looks at the developmental foundations your child will draw on throughout their school day, helping you understand their strengths, where they may need some extra support and what you can do next.
What does school readiness look like?
Think about everything a child needs to navigate in an ordinary school day.
From holding a pencil and opening a lunchbox to listening to instructions, moving between activities, managing big feelings and joining in with other children, lots of different skills work together to help children participate, learn and thrive.
How do we build the picture?
We bring together what you know about your child, what their educator sees, and what our Occupational Therapist observes during the assessment.
Your child will take part in a range of activities that help us understand the developmental foundations they’ll draw on at school.
We’ll bring everything together in a comprehensive report, with practical recommendations and time with your OT to talk through what we’ve found and what might help next.
A School Readiness Assessment may be helpful if your child…
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Finds pencil, drawing, cutting or other fine motor activities challenging
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Finds buttons, shoes, lunchboxes or managing belongings tricky
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Seems less confident with running, climbing, ball skills or coordination
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Finds it difficult to sit, attend or follow instructions
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Needs extra support moving between activities or coping with changes to plans
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Becomes overwhelmed in busy or noisy environments
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Finds joining play, making connections or participating in groups
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Needs support becoming more independent with everyday routines
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Has an educator or health professional who has raised questions about their transition to school
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Or perhaps there isn’t one particular concern. You’d simply like a clearer picture of your child’s strengths and development before they take this next step.
What does a School Readiness Assessment involve?
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Getting to know your child
We’ll learn about your child, what you’re noticing and any questions you have about starting school, with input from both you and their educator.
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Your child’s assessment
Your child will spend around 80 minutes with one of our Occupational Therapists, taking part in activities that help us understand the developmental foundations they’ll draw on at school.
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Understanding the findings
We’ll bring everything together to build a picture of your child’s strengths, where they may need some extra support and what this could mean for their school day.
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Your report and next steps
You’ll receive a comprehensive written report and meet with your OT to talk through the findings, practical recommendations for home and school, and what might help next.
More than knowing if they’re “ready”
A School Readiness Assessment isn’t about passing or failing, or making the decision about whether your child should start school.
It’s about understanding their individual starting point.
You may come away feeling reassured about how they’re developing, or identify a few areas where some extra support could make the transition easier.
Either way, you’ll have a clearer picture of your child’s strengths and practical direction for what comes next.
New to Motivate Kids?
You don’t need to already attend Motivate Kids. School Readiness Assessments are available as a standalone service, as well as to existing Motivate Kids families.
Wondering if a School Readiness Assessment could help?
Tell us a little about your child and what you’re noticing. Our team can help you work out whether this is the right next step.
