Transitions

Moving from one place to another can be a difficult time for all of us. There are things that we can do to make it better for children.

When children experience good, well prepared transitions in their early years this will help them cope with transitions better when they are older.

Transition form

If you would like a copy of Lambeth’s Transition form please contact your Locality Team:

South East locality:

North locality:

South West locality:

Top tips to support transitions in the Early Years

Transitions are milestone events for children and have a huge impact on their development.

  • When children are going to begin at your setting ask parents to bring their child to visit before they start, or to meet in the park, or have a video call.
  • Talk to the parent about how you will help their child to settle in.
  • Give parents time to ask any questions.
  • Ensure clear information is gathered from the parent to ensure the child’s needs are appropriately met when they start.
  • Encourage parents to complete the All About me booklet with you.
  • If the child will be moving on to nursery or school, you could practice the child’s route to the setting. If walking, try talking about all the things you see on your way, for instance, "we have to turn at the post box"..."then past the really tall tree".
  • Incorporate starting school into children’s play e.g., through making a teddy bear school or enabling children to build their own school so they can talk about their experiences and hopes around transition.
  • Acting out scenarios with puppets or small world resources is another way that can give children the opportunity to explore transitions.
  • Reading stories about starting school can help too.
  • Sing some familiar nursery rhymes so that they are confident with these and can join in during group times.
  • With parental permission, let the new setting know how the child you support communicates - do they use words, are they speaking in sentences or do they use lots of gestures and signs? Consider what other information would be useful to share – you can use the Lambeth Transition Form.
  • Help children become more independent, for example, feeding themselves, letting the parents say “goodbye” at the door, rather than helping them with their coats
  • Talking about feelings is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety. Compliments can help e.g., you are so grown up that you are ready to go to big school.
  • Looking at the nursery or school website with children can be useful too, some have virtual tours that you can access.