Early years and SEND transition to school or nursery
This page is to support professionals working with children of all abilities moving up to a nursery or primary school.
Starting school is a key time for both children and parents or carers. Many children see this as an exciting and positive experience. However, some children and families will struggle with the move to a new environment. This first experience of school can have a lasting influence on a child’s ongoing school career.
Achieving a good quality transition
A quality transition process should support children and families to feel confident and secure in their new environment and future learning.
With this in mind Reading Early Years team, in collaboration with local schools and education settings, has developed a transition process for children of all abilities. Part of this process includes sharing the child’s learning and development report as well as arranging visits from schools to the child’s setting prior to starting.
We’ve created a toolkit of key documents to guide you, listed below.
Starting school: Home Learning Education programme
Every child develops at their own pace, and learning new skills takes time. To support children before they start school, we’ve created the Home Learning Education programme.
If you are working with a child who may benefit from extra support with their development before starting school, you can refer them to the Home Learning Education programme using our online form: Home Learning Education programme referral
We’ve put together a brief overview of the programme which you can download here: Early Years and Starting School Champions programme (PDF)
If you have any queries, please email starting.school@reading.gov.uk.
The flyer linked on the right includes helpful tips for parents/carers to support their child for school readiness, and can be downloaded and shared by early years settings, schools, and other early years providers.
You can also signpost parents/carers to the Journey to Reception page which contains lots of useful tips and advice on helping children prepare for starting school.
Transitions toolkit for early years settings/professionals
- All About Me - Time to Transition Pack (editable ppt) (PDF)
- Reading Early Years Transition Guidance (PDF)
- Reading SEND Transition Passport (MS Word)
- Reading Template - Nursery Social Story (MS Word)
- Reading Template - School Social Story (MS Word)
- Reading Early Years Family Feedback Survey (MS Word)
- Reading Early Years Settings - one page child profile (MS Word)
- Early Years Transition Meetings Agenda and Action Plan (MS Word)
- Transitions FAQ Guide for Parents (PDF)
- Reading EY provider or school feedback survey (MS Word)
Transitions charter
We have coproduced a transitions charter which sets out best practice when supporting children through transitions in their early years. Please refer to this for shared practice and processes.
If you have any queries, please email EarlyYears@reading.gov.uk.
Useful links
- Transitions – Birth To 5 Matters
- Working in partnership with parents and carers - help for early years providers
- Relationship with the key person in a childcare setting | Early Years in Mind | Anna Freud Centre
- How to help with separation anxiety | Early Years in Mind | Anna Freud Centre
- Getting children ready for reception - supporting effective transition (GOV)
- Best Start in Life - preparing for school
- Startingreception.co.uk
- Kindred Squared - School readiness survey
- Stronger Practice Hubs - Why preparation matters
- Education Endowment Foundation
- Best Start in Life Reading Family Hubs
Under 5s with SEND
Additional information, documents and links for practitioners working with children under five with SEND.
Information for parents/carers
Practical tips and advice for parents/carers to support them to help their child be ready to start Reception.