You always want the best for your child, but what can you do. during the Kindy year to ensure your child has a smooth transition from Kindy to Prep?
At kindy, your child makes new friends, develops new interests and strengths, and learns so much as they play. And as you and your child begin to plan for the big step from kindy to school, you will have a lot to share with your child’s new school teacher.
In November, the kindy teacher will write a transition statement which is all about your child’s learning and development in kindy, and it will include your suggestions to support your child’s transition from kindy to school.
How a transition statement helps with the transition from Kindy to Prep
The transition statement is one way for the school and Prep teacher to get to know your child and family before the school year begins.
Mum Meg Bunting said sharing the transition statement with her daughter Joelle’s new school helped make the transition from kindy to school much smoother.
“As a parent, when your child attends Prep you’re a bit anxious about how they’re going to make friendships and survive in the new environment,” Ms Bunting said.
“I was introduced to the transition statement last year when my daughter attended kindy. It gave me a good indication of how Joelle had progressed from the start of the year to the end of the year. It also gave the teachers and the school valid information about Joelle and what her strengths were.”
You will have the opportunity to contribute to your child’s transition statement and include information about their unique strengths, abilities, motivations and needs.
Your child can also add to their own transition statement. They might draw pictures about their interests or particular concerns they may have about starting school.
The school can then use the information in the transition statement to make sure your child’s learning continues from kindy to Prep.
Early childhood educator Keriann Reissenberger said the transition statement consent form has made it a lot easier to pass each child’s statement directly to the school.
“I was certainly really happy when the consent form came out because although there were parents handing the statements on to the school, it wasn’t always the case,” Ms Reissenberger said.
“The consent form just meant that if the parents gave us consent, the schools got the statements more quickly.”
When you sign the parent/carer consent form, your Kindy will send the transition statement directly to your child’s new school.
With parents, schools and kindergartenss working together in this way, all Queensland children can enjoy a great start to school.
To find out more about transition statements and the parent/carer consent form, visit The Early Years Count website.
By QLD Govt Dept Education
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