Why Play, Friendships and Early Experiences Matter Before Starting Kindergarten

Starting Kindergarten Is About More Than the First Day

Starting Kindergarten is a major milestone for children and their families. It brings new routines, new teachers, new environments and, for many children, their first experience of being part of a larger school community.

While parents often think about practical preparation such as school uniforms, lunchboxes and learning supplies, the experiences children have before they begin school can also play an important role in helping them feel familiar, connected and confident.

Play, friendships and early experiences can help children become more comfortable around other children and adults, explore new environments and begin developing a sense of belonging. The NSW Department of Education notes that a successful transition to school can support children's educational and social outcomes and help them make friends, learn routines and develop a sense of belonging in their new school environment. 

For families preparing for starting Kindergarten, the goal does not need to be making children academically advanced before their first day. Instead, it can be about giving them opportunities to explore, play, connect and gradually become familiar with the idea of school.

At Bishop Druitt College, this process begins before a child enters the Kindergarten classroom through opportunities such as BDC Playgroup, Kindy Pop-In Day and transition experiences designed to help children and families connect with the College community. 

Why Play Matters Before Starting Kindergarten

Play is an important part of how young children explore their world.

Through play, children have opportunities to communicate, cooperate, make choices, solve problems and interact with others. These experiences can happen naturally during activities such as building, drawing, imaginative play, music, movement and outdoor exploration.

The NSW Department of Education explains that early learning experiences support children through play-based activities while helping them become more independent, make friends and prepare for school. 

This is one reason why play can be such a valuable part of the journey towards starting Kindergarten.

Through play, children can begin practising skills such as:

• Taking turns
• Sharing ideas
• Communicating with others
• Trying new activities
• Working alongside other children
• Building independence
• Developing confidence in unfamiliar situations

These are not separate from learning. They are part of how young children begin to understand relationships, routines and the world around them.

At Bishop Druitt College, the Kindergarten program describes a play-based and inquiry-led approach that supports curiosity, wellbeing, school readiness and the development of confident and capable learners. 

Friendships Can Help Children Feel More Comfortable With Change

For young children, one of the most exciting parts of beginning school can be meeting and getting to know other children.

Friendships and social connections give children opportunities to interact, communicate and learn alongside their peers. Even before school begins, spending time with other children can help make group environments feel more familiar.

The NSW Department of Education highlights that early learning experiences can encourage children to share and play with peers, supporting empathy, cooperation and positive relationships. 

This does not mean every child needs to arrive on their first day of school with an established group of friends.

Instead, the opportunity to spend time around other children before starting Kindergarten can help children become more familiar with:

• Joining group activities
• Playing alongside others
• Communicating their ideas
• Listening to others
• Building new relationships
• Being part of a community

For some children, these experiences happen through preschool. For others, they may happen through playgroups, community activities, family gatherings or transition programs.

The important factor is giving children opportunities to connect with others in positive and supportive environments.

Early Experiences Can Make a New Environment Feel More Familiar

A school can feel like a very large and unfamiliar place to a young child.

Before their first day, children may wonder:

• What will my classroom look like?
• Who will my teacher be?
• Where will I play?
• What happens at school?
• Will I know anyone?

Early experiences can help answer some of these questions naturally.

Visiting a school, attending a transition activity, exploring a classroom or meeting educators can help children gradually become familiar with their future environment.

The NSW Department of Education recommends transition practices that help children become familiar with school routines and important areas of the school, while also supporting positive relationships with key staff.

This gradual familiarity can make starting Kindergarten feel less like arriving somewhere completely unknown.

The Value of Playgroups Before Kindergarten

Playgroups can provide an opportunity for children and families to connect before formal schooling begins.

BDC Playgroup is designed for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children and encourages socialisation, early learning through play and connections between parents and carers in the community. Its activities include music, singing, movement, socialisation and cooperative play. 

For children, attending a playgroup can provide opportunities to:

• Meet other children
• Explore new activities
• Participate in group experiences
• Become comfortable with different environments
• Build confidence through play

For parents and carers, playgroups can also provide opportunities to meet other families and become part of a wider community.

This connection can be valuable during the journey towards starting Kindergarten, particularly when families are beginning to think about schools and transition experiences.

At Bishop Druitt College, BDC Playgroup is also part of the broader connection between early childhood experiences and the Kindergarten journey.

Why Meeting Teachers and Exploring the School Can Help

Children often feel more comfortable when they can connect a new experience with familiar faces.

Meeting teachers before the first day can give children an opportunity to begin recognising the adults who will be part of their school environment.

Similarly, exploring learning spaces can help transform an unfamiliar place into somewhere children have already experienced.

Bishop Druitt College's Kindy Pop-In Day is designed to give families and children the opportunity to explore the learning environment, meet educators and experience aspects of the Kindergarten program before commencing school. 

The experience focuses on helping children and families become familiar with:

• The school environment
• Kindergarten educators
• Learning spaces
• Play-based learning
• Transition-to-school support

These types of experiences do not need to involve formal lessons. Simply having the opportunity to visit, explore and connect can help children build familiarity before starting Kindergarten.

Starting Kindergarten Is Also a Family Transition

The move to school is not only a change for children.

Parents and carers are also adjusting to new routines, new relationships and a new stage of family life.

This is why communication and connection can be just as important for families as they are for children.

Parents may feel more confident when they have opportunities to:

• Meet teachers and staff
• Visit the school
• Understand the transition process
• Connect with other families
• Ask questions
• Learn about daily routines and expectations

Bishop Druitt College describes its Kindergarten transition approach as including community experiences, playgroups, transition and orientation opportunities, and support from a dedicated Kindergarten Engagement Coordinator. 

These experiences can help families feel connected to the school community before their child's first day.

Building Confidence Does Not Mean Removing Every Challenge

It is natural for children to feel a mixture of excitement and uncertainty about beginning school.

Preparing for starting Kindergarten does not mean a child needs to know exactly what will happen every day or feel completely confident about every new situation.

Instead, confidence can develop through experiences that allow children to gradually become comfortable with change.

Parents can support this process by giving children opportunities to:

Explore new environments

Visiting new places and participating in different activities can help children become accustomed to unfamiliar experiences.

Meet other children

Social experiences can help children practise interacting and playing with peers.

Talk about their feelings

Children may feel excited, nervous, curious or uncertain. Talking about these feelings can help them understand that different emotions are a normal part of a new experience.

Build independence gradually

Simple routines such as packing belongings, making choices and participating in daily activities can help children develop independence over time.

The NSW Department of Education advises families to support children by encouraging them to explore their feelings, connect to their school, build friendships and relationships, and develop confidence and independence. 

How Play-Based Experiences Support the Kindergarten Journey

One of the biggest misconceptions about school readiness is that preparation must focus mainly on formal academic work.

Early experiences can also help children prepare by developing curiosity, confidence and a willingness to engage with new ideas.

Bishop Druitt College's Kindergarten program combines play-based and inquiry-led learning with experiences designed to support literacy, numeracy, curiosity, resilience and problem-solving. 

This reflects an important part of the transition to school: children can learn through exploration while developing the social and emotional skills that help them participate in a learning environment.

For families, this means preparation for starting Kindergarten can include everyday experiences such as:

• Reading and storytelling
• Drawing and creating
• Building and constructing
• Outdoor play
• Music and movement
• Playing with other children
• Visiting new places
• Talking about school

These experiences can help children explore learning in a positive and natural way.

The Importance of Belonging Before the First Day

One of the strongest ideas behind a successful transition is helping children feel that they belong.

A child does not need to know every person at their new school before they begin.

However, small experiences can help create a sense of connection.

For example, a child may:

• Recognise a teacher they have met before
• Remember visiting a classroom
• Know where the playground is
• Have attended a playgroup with another child
• Feel familiar with the school environment

These small connections can help make the transition feel more personal.

At Bishop Druitt College, the Kindergarten journey includes opportunities for families to connect through BDC Playgroup, Kindy Pop-In experiences and transition activities before commencement. (Bishop Druitt College)

Simple Ways Parents Can Support Their Child Before Kindergarten

Parents do not need to turn the months before school into a formal preparation program.

Often, simple and consistent experiences can be meaningful.

1. Give Your Child Opportunities to Play With Others

Social play helps children experience sharing, communication and cooperation.

2. Visit the School When Opportunities Are Available

Seeing the school environment before the first day can help build familiarity.

3. Attend Transition or Community Activities

Events such as playgroups and school transition experiences can give children and families opportunities to connect.

4. Talk Positively and Honestly About School

Encourage children to ask questions and talk about what they are looking forward to.

5. Read Stories Together

Stories can provide opportunities to discuss new experiences, emotions and routines.

6. Encourage Small Steps Towards Independence

Simple everyday responsibilities can help children become more confident in doing things for themselves.

7. Remember That Every Child's Transition Is Different

Some children may be excited immediately, while others may need more time to become comfortable.

The aim is not for every child to have the same experience. It is to provide support, familiarity and connection as they prepare for a new stage.

Starting Kindergarten at Bishop Druitt College

At Bishop Druitt College, the Kindergarten program is designed around a nurturing, play-based learning environment that supports children as they transition into school.

The College's approach includes a focus on school readiness, wellbeing, curiosity, independence and confidence. Families can also connect with the College community before Kindergarten through experiences such as BDC Playgroup and Kindy Pop-In Day. 

BDC describes its transition approach as providing opportunities for children and families to build familiarity and connection before commencement, with transition and orientation experiences supporting the move into Kindergarten. 

For many families, these early experiences are not simply activities before school begins. They can become part of the journey that helps children feel connected to their new learning community.

Final Thoughts

Starting Kindergarten is an exciting transition, and every child's journey will be different.

Before the first day of school, opportunities to play, build friendships, explore new environments and connect with educators can help children gradually become familiar with the idea of school.

A positive transition does not depend on a child knowing everything before they arrive. It can begin with something much simpler: feeling comfortable enough to explore, connect and take the next step.

Playgroups, transition activities, school visits and early connections can all contribute to this process.

For children preparing for starting Kindergarten, early experiences can help make the move to school feel less like a single first-day event and more like the next step in a journey they have already begun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is play important before starting Kindergarten?

Play gives children opportunities to explore, communicate, cooperate and interact with others. NSW early learning guidance recognises play-based experiences as an important way for children to develop independence, make friends and prepare for school. 

How can friendships help children prepare for Kindergarten?

Spending time with other children gives young children opportunities to develop social skills, cooperate and build relationships. The NSW Department of Education notes that early learning experiences can support children to play with peers and develop empathy and cooperation. 

What can parents do to make starting Kindergarten easier?

Parents can support children by helping them explore their feelings, connect with their future school, build friendships and develop confidence and independence. 

Do children need to know how to read before starting Kindergarten?

Preparing for Kindergarten is broader than formal academic skills. Transition guidance focuses on helping children become familiar with their school environment, routines, relationships and learning experiences appropriate to their stage of development. 

How can visiting a school help before Kindergarten begins?

School visits and transition activities can help children become familiar with learning spaces, routines and key staff. This can support a greater sense of familiarity before their first day. 

What is the benefit of attending a playgroup before Kindergarten?

Playgroups can give children opportunities for socialisation, cooperative play and early learning experiences while allowing families to connect with other parents and carers. 

How does Bishop Druitt College support the transition to Kindergarten?

Bishop Druitt College offers community and transition experiences including BDC Playgroup and Kindy Pop-In opportunities, alongside a broader transition and orientation approach designed to support children and families before commencement.