Starting school is a significant milestone for children and their families. While it is often an exciting time, it can also bring uncertainty and change. As early years professionals, we have an important role in helping children develop the confidence, independence and relationships that will support a positive transition into Reception.
Earlier this year, the Department for Education published new guidance for schools and early years providers on getting children ready for Reception and supporting effective transition, alongside advice and guidance for families that focuses on the everyday skills children need as they prepare for school. Together, these resources reinforce something the early years sector has long understood successful transitions are built through strong relationships, collaboration and shared understanding between families, early years providers and schools.
Preparing for school and everyday skills
When we talk about children being “school ready”, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean children arriving able to read, write or complete formal learning activities. Instead, it involves developing the everyday skills that help children feel secure, confident and ready to engage with learning.
These include:
- developing independence, such as dressing themselves, using the toilet and managing personal belongings
- communicating their needs and beginning to build positive relationships with adults and other children
- listening, taking turns and following simple instructions
- developing resilience and confidence to try new things and manage changes in routine
- establishing healthy routines that support learning and wellbeing.
These skills are developed over time through play, daily routines and meaningful interactions with trusted adults.
Through these everyday experiences, children develop the personal, social and emotional skills that help them feel secure, build positive relationships and approach new experiences with confidence.
Working together with families
Families are children’s first educators and remain central to preparing children for school. Many parents and carers welcome practical ideas about how everyday experiences at home can support their child’s development.
The Department for Education’s Best Start in Life campaign includes MC Grammar’s “Steps for School” song, which encourages families to practise related skills in a fun and engaging way. Resources like these can provide useful conversation starters and can easily be shared through newsletters, parent workshops, social media or transition events.
Alongside sharing resources, practitioners can continue to build trusting relationships with families by:
- talking positively about starting school
- recognising children’s individual strengths and interests
- sharing practical ways to encourage independence at home
- listening to parents’ questions and concerns
- providing consistent messages about what children can expect when they start Reception.
Small conversations throughout the year often have the greatest impact, helping families feel informed and supported rather than overwhelmed.
Effective transition is a shared responsibility
The guidance highlights that effective transition is most successful when schools, early years settings and childminders work together from the point families receive their school place, rather than seeing transition as something that happens only in the final few weeks of term. However, a child’s development throughout their early years creates the building blocks over time which ensure that by the time they start school, they feel confident, prepared and able to thrive from the start of Reception.
The guidance identifies three key areas that underpin successful transitions:
- Building strong relationships with families through open, honest and supportive communication.
- Developing meaningful partnerships between schools, nurseries and childminders so children’s learning and development can continue seamlessly.
- We are also funding partnerships between early years providers and schools to improve partnership working and transition to reception.
- Identifying children’s needs early, enabling appropriate support to be planned before children start Reception, including for children with SEND.
Many settings will already recognise these approaches in their own practice. Home visits, transition meetings, shared observations, visits between settings and schools, and opportunities for children to become familiar with their new environment all help children experience continuity during this important period.
Reflecting on our own transition practice
Every setting’s transition arrangements will look different depending on local partnerships and community needs. However, the guidance provides a useful opportunity to reflect on current practice.
Practitioners may wish to consider:
- How are we building relationships with families throughout the year, not just before children leave?
- How are we helping children feel emotionally secure and develop a sense of belonging as they prepare to start Reception?
- How well do we work alongside receiving schools and childminders?
- Do families know where to access support if they have concerns about their child’s transition?
- Are we sharing children’s strengths, interests and support needs in ways that help Reception teachers build on what children already know and can do?
Transition is most effective when it is viewed as an ongoing process rather than a single event.
Additional resources
A range of free resources are available to support practitioners and families:
- Getting children ready for Reception: supporting effective transition – practical guidance for schools, early years settings and childminders, including examples of effective transition practice.
- Preparing for school – helpful advice for families to ensure they and their children feel confident and prepared for starting school, including links to additional resources.
- Starting reception – key skills, activities and advice for families to practice at home to support children’s development, including guidance for children with SEND and the Potty Training Guide.
- Be School Ready | Parentkind – a resource for parents whose children are about to start primary school. It provides practical advice, activities, and downloadable materials to help children make a confident and positive transition into school.