Starting school checklist, getting ready for junior infants

Before your child starts junior infants, the essentials are: confirm and accept the place in writing, get the uniform and label everything, sort books and lunches, arrange any before- or after-school childcare, and, just as important, practise the self-care skills (toileting, dressing, opening their own lunch) that help a child settle. Here's the full checklist, roughly in the order you'll need it.

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1. Confirm the place

  • Accept the offer in writing by the deadline in the letter, a place isn't secured until you do.
  • Return any enrolment forms, and note induction or "new parents" evenings.
  • Ask the school for its booklist, uniform details and start-date arrangements for junior infants.

Still choosing, or need a backup? See when to apply for primary school and compare primary schools near you.

2. Uniform and clothing

  • Buy the uniform and enough everyday basics (they'll be worn and washed constantly).
  • Choose shoes and a coat your child can fasten themselves: velcro over laces.
  • Label everything: jumper, coat, bag, lunchbox and bottle.
  • Pack a spare set of clothes in the bag for accidents.

3. Books, bag and supplies

  • Schoolbooks are free in primary schools under the government scheme, the school supplies books, workbooks and copies, so check what (if anything) you still need to buy.
  • Get a school bag big enough for an A4 folder and a lunchbox, but light enough for a small child.
  • Sort any voluntary contribution or "arts and crafts" fee the school mentions.

Under the free schoolbooks scheme you shouldn't be buying textbooks or workbooks for primary school. If a booklist asks you to, check with the school first, see gov.ie: schoolbooks scheme information hub.

4. Lunches

  • Pack a lunchbox and bottle your child can open unaided: practise at home first.
  • Check the school's healthy-eating or allergy policy (many are nut-free).
  • Find out whether the school is in the hot school meals programme, which provides a free lunch.

5. Self-care and settling-in skills

Schools don't expect reading or writing, they expect a bit of independence. Over the summer, practise:

  • Going to the toilet independently and washing hands.
  • Putting on and taking off a coat and shoes.
  • Opening lunch: lunchbox, wrappers and bottle.
  • Recognising their own name in print.
  • Asking an adult for help and following simple instructions.
  • Short separations from you, so drop-off feels less new.

6. Childcare around the school day

Junior infants finish early, often before lunch in the very first weeks, then around early afternoon. Line up before- or after-school care if you need it:

7. Key dates and the countdown

  • Note the first day and any staggered start for junior infants.
  • Add the year's school holidays and term dates to your calendar so you can plan childcare cover.
  • Do the school's visit or induction day if one is offered, seeing the classroom first eases nerves.

Feeling ready? The transition is as much about your child feeling confident and independent as it is about the kit. A calm, well-practised summer beats a last-minute rush.

Frequently asked questions

What skills should my child have before starting school?

Schools don't expect a child to read or write before junior infants. What helps most is independence: using the toilet on their own, washing hands, putting on a coat and shoes, opening their lunchbox and food packaging, recognising their own name, and being able to say if they need help. Practising these over the summer makes the first weeks much smoother.

Do I have to pay for primary school books in Ireland?

No. Under the government's free schoolbooks scheme, primary schools provide schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks free of charge, so you don't buy them yourself. Your school will tell you what, if anything, you still need to supply. You may still need to cover items like a school bag, uniform and a voluntary contribution.

What should I put in a junior infant's school bag?

Keep it simple: a labelled lunch and a drink they can open themselves, a spare set of clothes in case of accidents, a coat, and anything the school specifically asks for. Label everything, bag, coat, lunchbox, bottle and jumper, because in a class of small children identical items get mixed up quickly.

How do I arrange childcare around the school day?

The school day for junior infants is short (often finishing early in the first weeks and around 1.40pm–2.30pm after that), so many working parents use before-school or after-school care. The National Childcare Scheme can subsidise this care. Look for a registered provider or after-school service near the school and check they're signed up to the scheme.

When should I start getting ready?

Once you've accepted the place (usually in spring), you can begin. Buy the uniform in the summer, practise self-care skills over the holidays, and do any school visits or induction days offered. Sorting childcare a few months ahead is wise as good after-school places fill up.

More parent guides

Useful links

Last reviewed 5 July 2026. This guide is general information to help you plan, it is not official advice. Scheme rules, dates and amounts can change, so always confirm the current details with the relevant scheme or with your child's school before you rely on them.