starting school - questions about transition, for a uni assignment

[SammyRo]

As part of my early childhood degree, I'm writing an assignment on the transition from prior-to-school settings (preschool, daycare, home, etc) to school. But my background is middle school and so I have no idea about how transition actually works in practice. I'd appreciate anyone who's been through it or going through it with your own children, or if you work in any of these settings answer some questions or just give me some general feedback.

What sort of transition programs did the school run?
Do you think these helped your child transition to school?
Could anything be done differently to improve this process?
How involved was your kindy/preschool/childcare setting in the transition process?

And anything else you can think of to add!

I hope the above makes sense, whenever it comes to writing assignments, my brain seems to forget how to write articutaly (and also spell it would seem lol)

TIA

[Artechim]

I am in NZ so it is a bit different here. Kids usually start school when they are 5. Some remain at kindergarten but they have to start proper school before 6.

Our kindergarten is next door to the school so there is interaction between the school and kindy. Sometimes the new entrants come back over for a visit and once a term the kids that are about to go to school go over for a visit and spend some time in the class room. We are also welcome to do school visits any time we want to as long as we stay with our child. I have personally taken my DS over for 7 or 8 visits. I then decided he wasn't ready enough for school so have elected to keep him in kindergarten until the start of next year when he will start with a bunch of kids from kindy that he knows (my DS has change/anxiety issues).

I have been very happy with the support of my kindergarten in transitioning DS towards school. The teachers take the time after school visits to gently ask him how things went and what he was feeling about it (which was helpful to me in the decision that he wasn't quite ready yet).

[Frangipani Lou]

There are loads of documents and Information about transition to school on the education.vic.gov.au site or check your states education website. Maybe also speak with the transition coordinators at some of your local primary schools. Each school varies in their transition process, some are great, some not so good. In my experience, they can sometimes be organised quite late, which doesn't help kindergarten teachers (like me) support the process effectively.

[Trillian]

will be back to post later.

[Chocaholic]

My eldest son started Prep this year. He came straight from daycare.

What sort of transition programs did the school run? The school started transition from October 2011. It involved a number of visits to the school and meeting his teacher. First two visits, I was with him. One was during the day and the next was in the evening for a reading session. The third visit I was in a hall with the other parents having morning tea while the kids were with their teacher.

He also has a buddy, Tomas, who is from Grade 5 who helped him.

Do you think these helped your child transition to school? Absolutely. DS was able to meet the teacher and his classmates (and buddy) prior to starting school so he knew them when he walked in the first day.

Could anything be done differently to improve this process? I was happy with it and DS had no problems with the transition.

How involved was your kindy/preschool/childcare setting in the transition process? The school contacted them and had one visit to evaluate DS's capabilities in a comfortable, stress free environment. They did this prior to the school visits so they could use the information to coordinate the classes. For example, the staff at daycare told the school that my DS prefers a strong teacher who is firm in discipline so he knows where he stands. He also prefers a routine so he knows what to expect as the unexpected can rattle his confidence and make him withdraw, The school put him in the class of a teacher exactly like that. Other parents have told me she is too strict but my DS thinks she is, and I quote, "super duper fantastically awesome and she has cool shoes".

My DS adores school and I put this down to the preparation from the teachers, the assistants, the other support staff and the principal.

DS also goes to after school care and the staff there are also very supportive and lovely.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[Hansie]

We are currently going through the 'step into prep' program here in Melbourne. The primary school (state primary) we have chosen have been doing hour sessions every month since June.
The first time we all met together in the hall. The parents had chance to get to know each other & the kids got to play games together.
The second visit the group was split alphabetically one half went with one prep teacher the other half with the other. Parents could either leave & come back or stay in the staff room.
The visits since then have been the same but alternating between the teachers so the children can get to know both regardless of who they will have when the school year starts. They do different activities explaining & running the group as would be expected on a school day.
We have been really pleased with this transition as DS1 doesn't do well with change. Takes him a little while to get to know the teachers etc. swimming each term is horrendous as the teacher always changes lol. With going regularly he has got to know the school & had time to see what playtime is like. The music that is played calling end of play. Experience the environment.
Our kinder has played no role in the transition as DS1 will go to school associated with another kinder. The school that is associated with our kinder doesn't start there 'step into prep' program till November which will consist of an hour every fortnight. The state parents evening is at the end of November & then in Dec the half days the kids do. I much prefer the slow introduction as it becomes part of everyday chatter. You have chance to speak with the teachers, see the school environment on a normal 'working day', observe the kids/staff interaction on many different occasions. It also helps if you do decide that the school you initially chose isn't right you have time to change. You can even do 'step into prep' at two different schools if you can't decide.
We were given information initially in the things it would be good for DS to know or be able to do himself. Information on the school, after or before school care etc.

Hope this helps with your assignments.