Transition

Starting school is an important milestone for both children and their families. At Stoke Primary School, we carefully plan our transition process to ensure children feel safe, confident and excited about beginning their Reception journey.

We believe that strong relationships with children and families are the foundation for a successful start to school. Our transition process is designed to help staff get to know each child as an individual while ensuring children become familiar with their new environment and routines.

Working with Early Years Settings

Before children begin Reception, we work closely with nurseries, pre-schools and other early years settings to gather information about each child who is new to Stoke. This allows Reception staff to build a clear understanding of children’s strengths, interests and any additional needs, ensuring that learning continues smoothly from their previous setting into school.

Getting to Know Our Families

During the summer term, parents and carers are invited to a Reception information evening. This provides an opportunity for families to learn more about our school, explore the Reception environment and ask questions. These meetings allow us to begin building strong partnerships with parents and ensure families feel confident about their child starting school.

Home Visits

Reception staff carry out home visits before children begin school. These visits help us build relationships with families and learn more about each child’s interests, routines and experiences in a familiar and comfortable environment.

Home visits are a valuable part of our transition process as they allow us to begin understanding each child’s needs and ensure they feel recognised and valued before they even step into the classroom.

Stay and Play Sessions

Children and their families are invited to attend stay and play sessions in the Reception environment. These sessions allow children to explore the classroom with their parents while meeting staff and becoming familiar with their new learning space.

We also provide additional stay and play sessions where children attend independently, helping them develop confidence and begin building relationships with staff and their peers.

Transition Week

During the summer term, children take part in a transition week, spending time in their new classroom with their teacher. Over the course of the week, children gradually increase the amount of time they spend in school, building up to full days by Thursday and Friday.

We have found this approach to be hugely beneficial and impactful. It allows teachers to develop a deeper understanding of each child and their family while also helping children feel comfortable and secure within the school environment.

A Strong Start in September

Through this carefully planned transition process, staff can identify children’s strengths, interests and any additional support needs early. This means that, where appropriate, early support or interventions can be put in place quickly to ensure every child has the best possible start to their school journey.

By the time children arrive for their first full day in September, they are already familiar with their classroom, teachers and routines. Most importantly, they arrive ready to learn, often walking through the gates with a big smile.