Transition to school is a significant milestone for children and families, marking the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in a child’s educational journey. Early childhood educators play a crucial role in this process, working closely with families and children to ensure they are ready for school. This is because early learners who experience a smooth transition exhibit better academic success and are more likely to stay engaged in school.

The following strategies are designed to help support children at your service have a positive transition experience and start school with a strong foundation for ongoing learning and social development.

Collaborate with families

Engaging meaningfully with parents and carers is an important aspect of effective transitions. Regular communication and working collaboratively helps families feel valued, supported and included in their child's educational journey, leading to better outcomes for children and stronger school-community connections. You can do this in many ways, including:

• creating opportunities for families to share their thoughts and concerns, for example, via surveys or conversations during drop-offs or pick-ups

• organising family information sessions to provide parents and carers with an opportunity to ask questions, learn about what to expect in the school environment and understand how they can support their children at home

• seeking their knowledge, perspectives and expertise about their child and support they might offer. Draw on these insights, together with your understanding of each child's unique needs and strengths, to develop transition plans that are comprehensive and responsive to each child’s needs.

• encouraging families to access transition to school resources for further guidance and resources on how they can support their child’s transition to school.

Engage in ongoing preparation

Transitions should be viewed as a long-term process rather than a one-time event. Preparing children for school starts well before the final year of early childhood education. Continuous support and engagement during the years leading up to school can significantly ease the transition experience.

Play-based learning is crucial in preparing children for school. The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) emphasises the importance of play in providing opportunities for children to learn problem-solving, social interaction and critical thinking. Activities that incorporate these elements can help children develop the necessary skills for a successful transition to school experience. Outdoor play activities that encourage teamwork and cooperation can help build the social skills needed for the primary school environment.

Activity ideas

Build connections with local schools

Building connections with schools in your local area will assist in identifying joint opportunities or activities that can support children’s transitions.

Where possible, collaborative planning sessions between early childhood teachers and educators and primary school teachers can help ensure transition activities are aligned and responsive to the needs of the children. This may include:

• inviting school staff or students to visit the service
  

• holding regular video calls with Kindergarten classes

• identifying ways children may be able to attend school-run transition activities.

Facilitating strong partnerships between families and schools is also fundamental to supporting transitions. If frequent visits, joint excursions or community events can be organised, these activities can foster relationships and create a sense of familiarity and support as children navigate their new setting.

Practise school routines and experiences

Providing play opportunities and experiences that simulate common school routines can support children to develop their independence and social skills. This may include introducing routine activities at mealtimes or setting up a home corner focused on transition to school.

Role play focused on school routines can help children feel more prepared and confident about starting school, and enables them to express feelings and thoughts through their play in a safe environment. Role play also provides opportunities for children to engage with their peers and develop important social skills such as cooperation and empathy, as well as self-help skills as they explore dressing up in school uniforms and packing school bags.

Other transition activities, such as reading books about starting school and having regular ‘lunch box days’ where children practise opening and eating their own lunch, can also build familiarity and excitement.

Tools to support effective transitions