Early Years Transition Bulletin

For all things EYFS Transitions, head to the newly updated Early Years Transition Padlet! Here you will find the latest top tips, resources and research so you can feel confident in supporting high quality transitions for all your children moving in and moving on. There is a new area focusing specifically on the transition to school with lots of fantastic resources for practitioners and families to use in readiness for Reception Year.  

Transition Padlet 

In the Early Years Transition Padlet you will find all you need to know about the Early Years STAIR (Supporting Transitions And Inclusion Record) including how to access and use it, to support effective transitions for all children. The STAIR is a co- produced Norfolk resource that has been nationally recognised as a model of best practice. Thousands of STAIRs have been securely submitted with consistently excellent feedback from practitioners, families & schools. So, if you haven't already, do consider introducing this to your practice to give children the very best start in their new setting. 

Transition leaflets 

Transition leaflets are accessible guides that have been created to support families, settings and schools to prepare and manage transitions that nurture children and their families through periods of change. The leaflets include starting in an early years setting, changing rooms within larger settings, beginning school, moving onto Year 1 and After School and Breakfast Clubs. 

SEND & Inclusion transitions 

When supporting children with additional needs through inclusive transitions, you may want to arrange a meeting to ensure all those involved in the child's transition are able to contribute to a shared transition plan. It's important that learning, support plans and reports are shared, and these can all be easily uploaded to a STAIR. If a child has an EHCP you should consider whether a review should take place in readiness to support a transition. More information about EHC Plan Review can be found here and EHCP Coordinators can be contacted directly with specific queries relating to individual transition planning. 

Early Years Team support for inclusive transitions 

If you are in doubt, worried or have any questions about transitions, please contact your EYA directly or the EY Advice Line at csearlyyearsadviceline@norfolk.gov.uk  

School and Community Team support 

Find out more about the School & Community Teams Transition support offer. The offer includes advice and guidance, transition groups for families to attend as well as bespoke transition support for those children who need it most. This offer is available across the county. You can request support by contacting your Local School & Community Team or by contacting The SEND and inclusion support line​ on 0333 313 7165 

Safeguarding 

As children transition to a new provision, please remember the requirement to transfer safeguarding records. They must be transferred securely to the Designated Safeguarding Lead of the receiving provision. For more information please refer to the information sharing flowchart in the Safeguarding guidance. 

Admissions 

If you have any concerns about a child's place in Reception class in school, please discuss this with the family first. You can support them to check the Admission to reception webpage where you can find out more about school offers, appeals, late applications, free school meals, starting school and wraparound childcare. If you have any further questions, you can submit a general enquiry form on the webpage. 

Transition for all 

EYFS & Birth to 5 Matters remind us that 'High quality transitions recognise the importance of feeling "known". Key is ensuring continuity between home, key people and all the settings that make up children's individual learning journeys.' 

During transitions it's helpful to all remember: 

• Some children are particularly vulnerable at times of transition 
• Transitions are opportunities for professional dialogue 
• Effective transition is a process not an event 
• The key person makes essential connections 
• Parents & carers make a crucial difference to children's outcomes. Providers should work in close partnership to welcome, listen to and include families throughout transitions. 

We appreciate the time and dedication that you put into ensuring smooth transitions for all children. If we can be of any further support, please do contact the Early Years Team as early as possible. Wishing you, your children and families happy transitions and onward journeys!