Describe how you can help a child's transition from play school to infants school?

Question

Describe how you can help a child's transition from play school to infants school?

Answer 1

-Go on visits to ensure child becomes familiar with new setting whilst with the safety of adults they trust. (for staff and parents)

-Be positive: if adults are positive this will rub off on child. (for staff and parents)

-Try not to go on too much about it else they will start to feel anxious and pick up that something odd is happening. (For staff and parents)

-Read stories about school-fun ones! (for staff and parents)

-Buy a uniform-a lot fo children see this as a big step and get excited with having something thats their own and for 'big school' similary let them choose own pencil case, pencils, shoes etc to add to excitement. (for parents)

-Ensure parents and staff work together-lots of communication before and after the transition. (ALL)

          -Before: How does parent feel child will react? how we support this? Does child/parent know who their teacher will be? Do parents know what to expect: where to take child, what to do with lunch box etc?

         -After: Speak to each other about how first day went-any ups and downs and any stratergies to try next day.

I guess it depends a lot on whenever u r the parent or the practitioner or teacher as the approach and time with child will be different.

Answer 2

If you work in a preschool and your setting doesn't have a transition policy, this would be a good chance to write one. There are loads of ways of supporting transitions...inviting teachers from the reception class to come in and read stories  (you could reciprocate with their class), getting together as much information as you can about each child to pass on, meetings about the children, visits gradually increasing in length of time, mixing preschool children with reception class perhaps during outdoor play. I could go on. There's plenty you can do, just use your imagination!