Research shows that transitions are key to a young child’s development and emotional wellbeing. The way in which the first transitions are handled could have a significant impact on the child’s capacity to cope with change in the short and long term. Transitions should be viewed as a process rather than a single event. Children, practitioners and parents should all be involved in the process.
A key transition that a child will experience is the move between nursery to primary school during their early years foundation stage (EYFS).
Useful Websites:
The Mentally Healthy Schools website has some useful information. This includes:
- A Brain-based approach to supporting children’s transitions – guest post. This is a post written from the point of view of the psychological impact that effective and not so effective transitions can have.
- Useful tips for school staff to help children and young people (CYP) settle when starting primary school or to support those who change school regularly as well
- A starting school toolkit which offers support to parents and children before school, during the first few days and over the first year.
West Sussex County Council
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Guidance on transition for early years providers and schools.
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Guidance to help childcare settings develop and maintain effective practice.
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Diversity and Inclusion Guidance and strategies to support and extend inclusive practice.
Last updated 18 November 2020