Getting Ready for NC Pre-K
Has your child turned four this year? You may already be thinking about what comes next — and feeling a mix of excitement, pride, and maybe a little worry. That is completely normal, and you are not alone.
For children who have never spent time in a group care setting, starting NC Pre-K (North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten) is a big step. But here is the good news: there are simple, meaningful things you can do right now to help your child feel ready, confident, and excited for their first day.
TIP 1: Talk about school — starting now
Children feel more confident when they know what to expect. Talk with your child about what school will be like: there will be a teacher, other kids to play with, books, art, and time to move and learn. Keep the conversation light and positive. Let them ask questions, and answer them honestly in simple terms.
A great book to spark that conversation: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. A little raccoon is nervous about starting school, and his mother shares a special secret to help him feel loved all day long. Read it together and let your child ask all their “what if” questions while Chester asks his.
TIP 2: Practice your morning routine
A predictable morning makes a big difference. A few weeks before school starts, begin waking your child at the same time each day and moving through a simple routine — get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, go. Practicing the routine takes away the surprise and helps your child feel in control.
Try reading The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing together at bedtime during those practice weeks. It walks a child through the whole getting-ready sequence in a warm, playful way — and it has a way of making the first day feel like something to look forward to.
TIP 3: Help them learn to do small things on their own
In a Pre-K classroom, your child will be doing some things independently — putting on a coat, washing hands, opening a lunch box, using the restroom. Practice these at home, and celebrate the effort, not just the result. Building these small skills gives your child a sense of pride and readiness.
I Can Do It Myself! by Diane Adams is a cheerful story about a little girl determined to do things on her own — and the gentle way her family supports her without taking over. It is a wonderful way to celebrate independence while reminding your child that asking for help is okay too.
TIP 4: Read together every day
Reading aloud with your child is one of the single best ways to prepare them for school. It builds their vocabulary, their ability to focus, and their love of learning — all before they ever set foot in a classroom. Pick books they love, talk about the pictures, and let them turn the pages. It does not have to be long. Even ten minutes a day adds up.
If you are looking for a place to start, Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is an absolute favorite with four-year-olds — funny, surprising, and impossible to read just once. And Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak has been sparking big conversations between parents and children for generations. Let your child tell you what they think happens next.
TIP 5: Give them practice being around other kids
If your child has mostly been at home, time with other children will be an adjustment. Look for low-pressure opportunities to practice — a trip to the park, storytime at the library, a play date with a neighbor. Learning to take turns, share space, and navigate friendships is a skill, and it grows with practice.
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson is a story about a boy who learns that the kid he thought was his enemy might actually be his best friend — and all it took was a little time together. It opens up great conversations about how friendships start and how to give new people a chance.
TIP 6: Name feelings — including the hard ones
It is okay if your child feels nervous. It is okay if you do, too. Help your child build the words for what they are feeling: “It sounds like you are feeling nervous about meeting new people. That makes sense. And I know you are also brave.” When children can name their feelings, they feel less overwhelmed by them.
Few books do this better than The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas, which uses color and simple language to help young children sort through feelings that are all mixed up. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek is another beautiful choice — each page describes a different feeling from the inside, in words four-year-olds can understand and hold onto.
TIP 7: Create a goodbye ritual you can count on
Drop-off can be the hardest part — for children and caregivers both. A simple, consistent goodbye ritual helps your child trust that you will always come back. It does not have to be elaborate: a hug, a special handshake, a wave from the door. What matters is that it is the same every time.
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney follows a little llama through his very first day of school — including the hard moment when Mama leaves and the gradual discovery that school is actually pretty wonderful. It is warm, honest, and deeply reassuring for children who are nervous about saying goodbye.
TIP 8: Take care of yourself, too
Your child picks up on how you are feeling. When you feel confident and calm about this step, it helps them feel that way too. It is okay to feel bittersweet about them growing up — that just means you love them. Lean on your community, talk to other parents, and remember: you have been preparing your child for this moment since the day they were born.
For a quiet moment with yourself, You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano Love is a gentle reminder of what it means to raise a child — and why every hard, beautiful, ordinary day matters. Read it to your child at bedtime, and let yourself feel proud of how far you have both come.
NC Pre-Kindergarten is a free, high-quality program for income-eligible four-year-olds in Randolph County. To qualify, a child must turn four on or before August 31 of the program year they are enrolling in. The Randolph Partnership for Children can help you find out if NC Pre-K is right for your family.