Worried your child isn’t “academic enough” to start school?

You’re not alone — but here’s the truth: school is meant to teach the academics. Your child doesn’t need to know it all. What matters most is their mindset — curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to try.

This reassuring guide helps you shift the focus from pressure to play, and shows how joy, not flashcards, builds a brain that’s ready to learn.

Cold tea. Bathroom audiences. Conversations hijacked by stick stories. Toddler life is noisy, clingy, and often makes you wonder if you’ll ever eat a hot meal again. Here’s why it’s normal, why it feels so intense, and how to survive with a shred of sanity (and maybe a biscuit in hiding).

Starting school brings big changes — and not just for the child. When your little one goes from 1 adult for every 8 children to a classroom of 30, the expectations shift fast. This post breaks down what really changes in Reception, why independence matters more than ever, and how to help your child feel ready (without turning your house into a school).