School Transitions Information Evening

1. School Transitions Information Evening Thursday 27th May 2010 Jade Shafi

2. Transitions and continuity • Children may move between several different settings in the course of a day, a week, a month or a year. • Children's social, emotional and educational needs are central to any transition between one setting and another or within one setting. • Some children and their parents will find transition times stressful while others will enjoy the experience. • Effective communication between settings is key to ensuring that children's needs are met and there is continuity in their learning. Source: EYFS Statuary Framework

3. The role of the Transition Co-ordinator • Organise • Internal transitions for nursery children • Transition of children from nursery to school • Support and Guide • Parents • Practitioners • Children during the transition process. • Provide a programme of activities and services to support the children and families

4. EYFS • Year 1 – September that follows the child’s 3rd birthday • Year 2 – September that follows the child’s 4th birthday • We are required to complete observations and assessments for all children who attend the setting • When a child is in Year 2 a profile and an overview of the child’s development with links to the Early Learning Goals must be completed

5. How we can support your child • We deliver a programme of activities to support children in conjunction with the requirements of the EYFS and beyond where appropriate • The transition Co-ordinator will visit each school, meet with the teachers to discuss your child and hand over their Learning Journey • Your child’s teacher will be invited to the nursery to meet your child in familiar surroundings and to talk with their key person on a one to one • The transition Co-ordinator will create an individual book for your child with photos from their new school. This is kept by the child • In order to achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes for children - being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being - practitioners need to work together across services • EYFS SF

7. Reading starting school stories This activity shows the children the similarities and differences between schools and nursery. This is a nice time for the children to talk together about starting school. Circle time where the children can talk about how they feel about starting school and ask any questions that they have The children will be able to talk with their peers about how they are feeling about starting school. They may have some questions that they might like to ask. Talking about their school with their peers This gives the children an opportunity to talk to their peers about their new school and to begin to have a sense of ownership over it. Phonics and number games When the children start school the day will be similar to a Pre-School setting. The children will also be taking part in literacy and numeracy times. To prepare the children we will introduce more challenging but still fun phonic and number games. Activities Programme Taking home books to share with parents When the children go to school they will have reading books to take home. To introduce this to the children we will be asking the children if they would like to take a book home to share with their family. School Leavers presentation On June 25th the children and their parents will be invited to a school leavers presentation where the children will be awarded with a certificate. There will also be a presentation tea. Role play ‘school’ This is a time for the children to be imaginative about starting school. They can role play being themselves, their new teacher or another child.

8. How we support children’s families • Provide support and reassurance throughout the process • One-to-one meetings to discuss your child’s individual transition and needs • Provide opportunities for group discussion with other families in a similar situation • Develop a link with your child’s school to ensure that the transition is seamless for the child

9. How you can support your child • Talk to your child • Begin to show them where they will be going to school • Talk to them about the journey to school • Take them with you to choose their new uniform and shoes • Make it FUN !!!

10. Transition Diagram Family Nursery School

11. Transition Diagram • For a smooth transition the child’s family, nursery setting and school must work together • It is vital that there is open communication between all three parties EYFS - To best support children and their families all these groups need to communicate well, listen carefully to all concerned and to put the children's needs first.

12. What to expect before starting school • You will be invited to the school for an information session where you will meet the school head teacher and your child’s class teacher • The children will be invited to attend a minimum of 2 visits • Some schools like to invite parents for a one to one session

13. Useful Websites • Wokingham Borough Council • www.wokingham.gov.uk/children-youth-education/schools-colleges/admissions/ • Reading Borough Council • www.reading.gov.uk/schoolsadmissions/General.asp?id=SX9452-A78292F3 • Direct.gov • www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/index.htm • BBC Health: Starting School • www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/child_development/primary_starting.shtml And many more........