How to prepare your child for their first day of school

With the first day of primary school just days away, Deirdre McArdle asks parents, teachers and experts how to manage that first day, and how to prepare their child for this next stage of their lives.

Siobhan Broughton and her son Elliot, who is starting primary school this week

Last year, on her first day of school, my daughter strode confidently through the doors. She gave me one last look back and a smile; I stifled back my sobs, smiled and waved. No doubt, this will be a familiar scene across the country over the next few days as summer holidays wind up and school term begins.

According to a Department of Education spokesperson: “Based on our latest projections, 59,518 junior infants will begin primary school this year.”