School Readiness Program
A structured, multidisciplinary programme that equips children with the cognitive, social, motor, and communication skills needed for a confident, successful school start.
12–16 weeks
structured programme block with measurable entry and exit goals
5 domains
assessed and addressed: attention, language, motor, social, and academic
School liaison
transition support for families and receiving schools at programme exit
What is School Readiness?
The DCCD School Readiness Programme is a structured, time-limited group and individual programme for children aged 3–6 preparing to enter formal schooling. School readiness extends far beyond academic knowledge — it encompasses attention and self-regulation, receptive and expressive language, pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills, fine and gross motor function, social interaction with peers, and the ability to follow group instructions. Our programme assesses all of these domains and builds a targeted plan for each child.
Who benefits
- Children with developmental delays preparing to enter school
- Children with autism or social communication difficulties
- Children with attention and self-regulation challenges
- Children with fine motor difficulties affecting pre-writing skills
- Children with speech and language delays affecting classroom participation
- Children who have had limited preschool or social group experience
- Typically developing children who need structured readiness preparation
Our approach
Evidence-based methods selected and combined specifically for each child's profile — never a one-size-fits-all programme.
Readiness Assessment Battery
Comprehensive assessment of attention, language, motor, self-care, and social domains at programme entry — identifies gaps and priorities for each child's plan.
Structured Group Learning
Small groups of 3–5 children working through school-like routines — circle time, activity rotation, instruction-following, turn-taking — in a supported, low-ratio setting.
Pre-Literacy & Pre-Numeracy
Phonological awareness, letter-sound correspondence, early numeracy concepts, and pre-writing skill development embedded in play-based and structured activities.
Self-Regulation & Attention Building
Visual schedules, structured transitions, and sensory strategies that build the self-regulation capacity needed to sit, attend, and learn in a classroom environment.
Parent & School Bridge Planning
We work with families and receiving schools to create a transition plan — communicating the child's needs, recommending accommodations, and supporting the first term.
What to expect
The School Readiness Programme typically runs as a 12–16 week structured block, with 2–3 sessions per week of 45–60 minutes each. Sessions include both group and individual components. An entry assessment is followed by a parent meeting to share findings and agree on goals. An exit report at programme completion provides a detailed readiness profile and transition recommendations for the child's school.
Book an assessmentRelated conditions
Frequently asked questions
Ready to take the first step?
Our intake assessment gives our clinical team the information needed to build the right School Readiness plan for your child.