What Is School Readiness Really About?
“School readiness” refers to a child’s ability to cope with the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive demands of starting school. This includes:
Following simple instructions
Separating confidently from parents
Managing basic self-care tasks (toileting, dressing, eating)
Sitting still and focusing for short periods
Communicating needs and feelings
Playing cooperatively with others
These skills aren’t built overnight—they develop gradually through safe relationships, routine, and play. And that’s exactly where a thoughtful, trained babysitter can make a real difference.
How Babysitting Builds Key Readiness Skills
1. Promoting Independence
When children spend time with a babysitter, they begin to build confidence in navigating time away from their primary caregivers. A babysitter can gently guide a child through:
Making simple choices (e.g., what toy to play with or snack to eat)
Managing their belongings
Trying tasks on their own, with encouragement
These moments help children feel capable, which is key when they begin kindy or pre-primary.
2. Following Routines and Structure
Children thrive with predictable routines—something schools and early learning centres follow closely. A regular babysitter can reinforce this by:
Creating familiar daily rhythms (play, rest, meals, storytime)
Encouraging clean-up and transition skills
Practising short periods of focused play or quiet time
These little routines mirror the structure of a classroom and help children feel more at ease when school begins.
3. Developing Social and Emotional Skills
A trusted babysitter offers more than just company—they provide a relationship that teaches empathy, communication, and emotional regulation.
Through their time with a sitter, children learn how to:
Express feelings with words
Take turns and share
Navigate gentle guidance and redirection
Manage separation and build trust with new adults
These experiences are crucial for children who may feel uncertain about starting school—and help them develop the confidence to connect with teachers and peers.
4. Encouraging Language and Learning Through Play
Play-based learning is at the heart of school readiness, and babysitting offers plenty of opportunities for it. Our sitters often engage children in:
Storytime and book sharing
Singing songs and nursery rhymes
Counting games and colour identification
Creative play like puzzles, arts, and role-play
These activities nurture language development, problem-solving skills, and early literacy and numeracy in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Helping Parents Feel Ready, Too
Let’s not forget—school readiness is a family experience, not just a child’s. For many parents, the lead-up to school can feel daunting, especially if your child has been home with you most of the time.
Regular babysitting can help ease this transition by:
Giving you time to gradually introduce short separations
Allowing you space to manage other responsibilities
Providing peace of mind that your child is safe, engaged, and growing in confidence
Many Cherished Cherubs families find that babysitting sessions become a gentle stepping stone toward kindy or school—helping both children and parents feel more prepared and less anxious.
What Perth Families Are Saying
“We booked a babysitter to help a few hours a week before our son started kindy. It gave him time to build confidence with someone new, and it helped me feel ready too. He settled into school beautifully.”
– Katie, Mum of 1, Dianella
“Our sitter helped our daughter with dressing herself, packing her bag, and reading books together. It really made a difference in how confident she was walking into class.”
– Arjun & Leah, Parents of 2, Mount Pleasant
The Cherished Cherubs Difference
At Cherished Cherubs, we do more than babysit. We offer care that’s warm, professional, and tailored to each family’s unique needs. All our babysitters are:
Fully vetted with Working With Children Checks, police clearance, and First Aid
Matched carefully to your child’s age and personality
Experienced in promoting early childhood development
Reliable, kind, and truly passionate about helping children thrive
Engage a Trusted Babysitter Today
Whether your child is starting kindy next year or you’re just beginning to build independence, Cherished Cherubs Babysitting can provide the caring support your child needs to grow in confidence and readiness—at your pace, in your home.
Reach out today, and let us help you take the worry out of finding the perfect babysitter for your family.
