Guide to starting school or moving up to junior school

This is an exciting adventure for a parent or carer and their child, but it can feel daunting and can be hard to know if your child is truly ready for this next step.

For most it will be the first really big change they have to face. As a parent it's important that you talk about starting school in positive terms, as something exciting and enjoyable.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare's Children and Young People's Service, including the School Readiness team, is able to help prepare your child to start school so that they (and you) can look forward to a healthy, happy school life right from the first day.

View the Buckinghamshire healthcare information about school nursing.

The School readiness checklist may help to focus on where you can encourage your child's school readiness. Should you feel you require some further guidance from our school readiness team then you, or the child's nursery/class teacher, or other professionals can refer your child directly to our school readiness team.

For more details, contact:

School nursing team
Telephone: 01296 567 833
Email: [email protected]​

It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection and your child should be up-to-date with their childhood immunisations before starting school.

You should contact your GP if:

• you or your child missed a vaccine
• you're unsure about your child's immunisation history, or when they are due

Routine vaccinations for pre-school children are continuing as normal. It's important to go to your appointments unless you, your child or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus.

NHS: childhood vaccinations and when to have them