How We Can Support Your Child's Transition Into School

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For children aged 3-5 years we aim to support children’s transition to Primary School by providing them with a familiar environment and routine, this allows children to feel confident and comfortable in a school setting.

Some of the skills we aim to support and develop are,

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• Becoming comfortable with a school  like routine

• Talking to children about school, and encouraging them to ask questions or voice their concerns

• Arranging visits to local primary schools to meet kindy teachers and tour the setting

• Inviting school students to visit the service to talk about what school is like

• Reading stories about starting school

• Including school props, such as uniforms, bags, lunch boxes, and chalk boards in dramatic play areas

• Support children to develop their self-help and social skills through every day routine activities such as meal times when children will practice using lunch boxes and drink bottles (In term 4)

• Providing literacy items such as reading and writing materials in everyday play activities

• Learning verbal skills to communicate effectively with peers

• Becoming self-reliant to select and complete activities

• Learning about the sustainability and environment

• Respect and care for room materials and environment

• Participate and engage in play with other children, showing the ability to share, co-operate, take turns and develop social skills

• Separate confidently from parents and guardians

• Show feelings towards others and their belongings

• Participate in pack away routines

• Follow instructions and develop self-help skills

• Follow the room indoor/outdoor limits and often guide peers

• Becoming attentive during group times, listening and participating in discussions

• Use of manners and being respectful during social situations

• Becoming independent in managing personal hygiene needs

• Having the confidence to express individuality through the arts for example: drama, music, art and craft

• Exploring and showing respect for the natural environment

• Engaging with the wider community

• Developing gross motor skills and physical abilities

How You Can Support Your Child's Transition Into school

The following suggestions may help you to support your child to settle comfortably and confidently into school:

• Say goodbye confidently – saying a quick, confident goodbye may help them to feel secure and reassured that you trust that they will be okay at school.

• Label your child’s belongings - labelling everything, including clothing, can help reduce anxiety for children, school staff and yourself. At school, children are responsible for their belongings and labels can help them with this.

• Communicate with your child – take time to tell your child what might be happening at school that day, and in the afternoon, ask your child about their day. This is a great way to build confidence, and to find out how they are feeling as they settle in. If you have any concerns talk with your child’s teacher, who will provide further insight to their day.

• Avoid overloading your child – when children begins school, they tire easily. It may be worth considering fewer extracurricular activities such as swimming, music or dance lessons, until they adjust to their new routine.

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