Already have them in a good school time routine and openly talk to them about what is going to happen. Pack food they like and have something fun for them to come home to.

Personally I think childcare is a great way of preparing and getting them already ready for a certain routine. The year before school I already started preparing their morning tea and lunch in a lunchbox. You could also do some preschool activities yourself. Playgroups and sport and dance or whatever group can help as well (social skills, getting ready, following directions, etc).

If you take the little one shopping and she/he can pick up their own school bag ,lunch box etc .It worked for us.

I sent mine to playgroup for a couple of days a week. Then they did four half days at kindy, then they started primary school. The gradual increase in time spent out of home helped them adapt quickly to full day’s at school