I Can Pack My School Bag – A School Readiness Story

Help children feel ready for their biggest adventure yet!

Starting school is an exciting milestone, but for young children it can also bring lots of questions, uncertainty and big feelings. I Can Pack My School Bag is a warm and reassuring 16-page school readiness story created to support children as they prepare to start school or Reception.

Follow Mila as she gets her school bag ready for her big day. Alongside all the practical things she might need – her water bottle, pencils, favourite book and clothes for whatever the weather brings – Mila discovers that some of the most important things she can take to school aren't things we can hold at all.

She packs kindness, bravery, confidence, curiosity and a great big ‘I CAN!’, helping children recognise that they already have so many of the qualities they need to take this exciting next step.

Supporting the Transition to School

Starting school involves much more than learning classroom routines or knowing how to put on a coat.

For many children, it is one of their first big transitions. They may be getting used to a new environment, unfamiliar adults, new friendships, different routines and spending longer periods away from their parent or carer.

This gentle story provides a positive way to begin conversations about starting school without making worries the sole focus.

Through Mila's preparations, children can think about what they might need, what they are looking forward to, what they are wondering about and, importantly, what they already have inside themselves to help them along the way.

Building Confidence and Self-Belief

A central message throughout I Can Pack My School Bag is:

You don't have to know how to do everything before you start school. You can learn, try, ask questions and have a go.

The story introduces positive qualities such as bravery, kindness, confidence and curiosity in a simple, child-friendly way, finishing with Mila's powerful ‘I CAN!’ message.

This makes the story particularly useful for encouraging positive self-talk and helping children approach new experiences with a growing sense of capability and confidence.

Exploring Feelings About Starting School

Children can experience many different emotions around starting school – and sometimes several of them at once!

Reading together gives adults a natural opportunity to pause, wonder and talk. Children might want to discuss what they are excited about, something they aren't sure about, what they think their classroom will be like or what might help them if they miss home.

Rather than telling children how they should feel about starting school, the story creates space for their own thoughts and feelings.

Perfect for EYFS and Reception Transition

Designed with young children in mind, I Can Pack My School Bag can be used by:

• Parents and carers preparing a child to start school
• Reception and EYFS teachers
• Nurseries and preschool settings
• Teaching assistants and SENCOs
• Childminders and Early Years practitioners
• Family support workers
• Pastoral and wellbeing practitioners
• Professionals supporting children through school transition

It can be shared at home in the weeks before school begins, used during EYFS transition sessions, read during nursery or preschool group time, or revisited during the first few weeks of Reception.

Great for Starting-School Conversations

Use the story as a starting point to talk about:

What do we need for school?
What are you looking forward to?
What are you wondering about?
What does being brave mean?
How can we show kindness at school?
Who can we ask when we need help?
What can you already do?
What would your ‘I CAN!’ be?

These conversations can help make the unknown feel a little more familiar before that all-important first day.

Continue the Story with the Activity Pack

Want to take the learning further?

An accompanying I Can Pack My School Bag Activity Pack is also available, filled with printable school-readiness activities inspired by Mila and the story, including Pack the Bag, affirmations, Let's Talk cards, colouring activities and more!