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Free First Day of School Pack

Help your child understand some of the steps that may happen on their first day of school.

Choose a boy or girl character, preview the visual resource and download the matching printable pack. Each pack includes a visual preparation story, a step-by-step sequence, a first–then board, support cards and a practical parent guide.

Choose a character

Choose a character to preview the resource.

Who this pack is for

Families approaching a first day at a new school or class, and teachers who want to send something home beforehand.

It supports: The shape of the first school day — getting ready, travelling, saying goodbye, and coming home again.

What is included

  • A visual first-day preparation story
  • A step-by-step sequence chart for the day
  • A first–then board
  • Support cards for asking for help, the toilet and a break
  • A practical guide for the adult using it

How to use it

  1. Read the story in the week before, so the day is familiar before it arrives.
  2. Walk through the sequence chart in the order the real day will happen.
  3. Practise the goodbye page — it is often the hardest part.
  4. Send the support cards in with your child, or share them with the teacher.

Formats and cost

  • Read online on a phone, tablet or computer
  • Printable PDF, 12 A4 pages, with a boy or girl character
  • Free to read online and to download.

Good to know

Schools differ. Check the order against what your child's school actually does, and adapt or skip pages that do not match.

The boy and girl packs contain the same visual guidance. Only the child character changes.

Every child responds differently. You can use, skip or adapt the pages according to your child's needs.