Top Ten Transition Tips - part 1
Offers have gone out, initial welcome letters sent, and transition meetings are imminent. So how do we best prepare everyone? This blog will offer some general transition tips you can put into place straightaway.
Remember it is not an event but a process
First and foremost, I think it’s important to recognise that transition is not an event but a process. Transition is not just about the whole-school transition day where children move to their next classroom to meet their new teacher. It starts well before this and continues afterwards. It is about lots of factors combined together which happen over at least the last 6 weeks of the year.
Involve and include the children, parents, and teachers (new and old)
The children are our first priority when it comes to transition but we also should think about parents. It is a big change for parents, their baby going to big school, for 7 hours a day! I have found that giving parents as much information and insight as possible helps to alleviate some of the anxiety and worry some may have. This information may include the practical logistics, for example start dates and times, and where to buy school uniform, to what the setting looks like and who the practitioners are. For teachers it can be a bitter-sweet moment, the class you have nurtured for a whole year, leaving you to go off to big school! Ensure class teams have ample time to meet to talk about each child in depth to ensure transition is as smooth as possible.
Starts with casual conversation
With the children you have, whether that be in your Nursery moving up to Reception, or Reception children moving up to Year 1, start dropping in casually about their next step. For example, “I see you like playing with Loose Parts, Year 1 have Loose Parts areas in their classrooms too. You’re going to love it next year.” “Soon, you will all be leaving Bumblebee class and going to Dolphin class, shall we start a countdown like we did at Christmas?” These little ‘hints’ are gentle ways to prepare the children but also allow them to open a conversation about it if they wish.
Welcome meeting and tour
Have your initial welcome meeting sooner rather than later. I am having my initial welcome meeting this week for Reception and next week for Nursery. The parents have already had a welcome letter, with information including where to view our school tour video and our Instagram account. This meeting is to give the parents lots of information and answer any remaining questions they may have. The children are always invited to this meeting as it includes a tour of the setting. Following the meeting I put the PowerPoint slides up on our website for the parents to refer back to if they wish. It is also important to do this for families who didn’t manage to make it to the meeting.
Connection
From when they had their offer at the end of April until they start in September is a long time - 4 months in fact! If parents have questions or need to contact you for any reason, have you given them information about how to do this? It could be via the main office email, or a direct EYFS email you may have. But as questions pop up, it is nice for parents to be able to contact you.
The Unique Child
Each of our children are different, have had different experiences, and manage change differently. It is important to remember that although we have a general transition timetable, some children may need adaptions, individual tours or extra stay and play sessions. Talk to parents and previous settings to find out which children may benefit from an adapted transition; you may even want to start with visiting the child at their current setting.
Children with Additional Needs
Our SENDCo has written an introduction letter including how she can be contacted if parents have any concerns they would like to discuss or information they would like to pass on. She will also be at the welcome meeting for our new families so they can meet her and ask her any questions face-to-face.
Read
I have a few stories about transition and starting school that I read to my children and then discuss with them (see the list at the end of this blog). Stories are a nice way to gently have difficult conversations as it removes the children from the equation and the discussion becomes about how the character may feel, rather than how they feel.
Be Prepared for Anything
You have your transition timetable in place with dates and times meticulously planned out. But be prepared to be flexible. Transition is about the children and their families and it is important everyone feels welcome and included. Families may have planned a holiday and are not able to attend the welcome meeting. How else can you offer support to them? Think about adding your PowerPoint slides to the school website for them to view, or perhaps having a second transition meeting towards the end of the summer term for those who could not make it.
The Final Step
As the last day approaches, children will need time to prepare for separating from the close relationships they have formed with their Key Workers. Prepare for this in advance and mark it with a special celebration involving the children in the planning and preparation. Include setting up their favourite activities, reading their favourite stories, and having lots of time to ‘just be’ with the children, relaxed and chit chatting about whatever comes up.
I hope these ideas are helpful - if you have any of your own you would like to share, please comment in the box below! Keep your eye out for Part II where I will be talking about September and welcoming your new class.
*I use the term ‘parents’ to include all caregivers and all types of families
Transition Texts
I Am Too Absolutely Small for School - Lauren Child
Harry and the Dinosaurs go to School - Ian Whybrow
The Colour Monster goes to School - Anna Llenas
Lulu’s First Day - Anna McQuinn