September Transition Timetable

Following on from my two-part blog on Transition, I received a couple of messages asking what exactly I would be doing on the first day/ first few weeks with the children. I thought it would be good to outline my September transition timetable, and then explain what I would be doing with the children and activities I will be setting out.

This is going to be the 5th year I am at my current setting. Over the time, I have got to know the school community well and have also sent out family questionnaires to find out what worked well in previous transitions, as well as asking for suggestions from them of how we could support them further. I used this knowledge to develop a timetable we have found works well.

We have moved from a long and complicated transition timetable to one which is simple as well as supportive to both the children and their families, as well as our staff.

September Timetable - Reception

After two days of staff INSET our Reception transition timetable is as follows:

• Day 1-4

1:1 Transition Meetings

These transition meetings replace Home Visits. They were a covid-measure we put in place that we have decided to keep for this academic year. We value Home Visits and the positive impact they have on relationships between the families, children, and staff, and so we really thought about what information and interactions were most valuable. We currently invite all families to school for an individual 30 minute ‘Home Visit’/ Transition meeting where we ask questions about the children to get to know them better. It is also a positive experience for the children as they get to explore their new classroom again with their grownups before they meet the rest of the class.

• Day 5-7

Half the class stay for 2 hours either in the morning or the afternoon

For the first 3 days, the class is split in half and the children either attend 2 hours in the morning or 2 hours in the afternoon. We found this works well because it is a smaller group so therefore the staff can get to know the children well and give them the support and attention they need. Parents do not stay with the children but if a child is struggling to separate or if they have not been to a previous setting for examples, it may be beneficial for them to stay for a shorter period of time. This would be discussed and agreed with the parents during the transition meetings.

• Day 8-9

All children stay from 9am - 12pm

For the next two days, the whole class are together. This is when the two halves meet, and they stay for an extra hour including staying for lunch. All staff stay with the children during lunchtime to support them with choosing what they would like to eat as well as being (now) familiar faces in another new space - the lunch hall!

• Day 10

Full time

From day 10 children can attend full time. We would expect the majority to stay all day, but prior to this, will have conversations with parents if we feel their child would benefit from an adjusted transition. We want a child’s first experience of school to be as smooth as possible - we want them to enjoy it and want to come to school. If we notice a child needs a little longer than our timetable, we adjust it to suit them and their needs.

A lot of thought and adjustments have been made over the last four years, and there may well be changes in the future. It is important that transition supports the children, their families, and staff. That it is as smooth and seamless as possible - a positive experience for all. Most of our Reception children come up from our Nursery so have already have a whole half term of transition and know the setting and staff well. I have also taken into consideration children who have perhaps attended another Nursery full time, working parents, as well as children who have not been to a prior setting or who may need a slower transition. There is certainly not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to transition. It is about finding what works well for your community and maximising the time and opportunities for the children to play and learn.

If you have any questions about my transition, please leave a comment below! Keep your eye out for Part II where I will be sharing exactly what I will be doing with the children in the first couple of weeks!

*I use the term ‘parents’ and ‘family’ to include all caregivers and all types of families