How do you ensure a seamless transition from a child's nursery to school and their first days and weeks in Reception? It goes without saying that meeting a child's new school teacher would be important but what else can and should be done? We asked our Early Years specialists how we do it at Westbourne House School.
"Transition from Nursery to Reception is seamless for our children because we start this process right from the start with the Nursery children (ages 3-4) joining our Reception cohort in the shared outside learning environment [brand new - learn more below]," explained Jo Lewis, Reception teacher.
She continued: "The benefits of this are two-fold, not only do our youngest children begin to build relationships with the Reception team early on but for our Reception children it is a chance to check in with their previous teachers and let them know of their new adventures.
"We also come together once a week for an Early Years assembly, led by Mrs Rogers our EYFS lead and Reception teacher, to discuss whole school themes at an appropriate level with the help of stories and songs.
"In the Summer term, the Nursery children come along to the weekly Pre-Prep singing assemblies as well as enjoying music lessons with me, as our Pre-Prep music coordinator. All in all this makes for a holistic approach to transition ensuring an incredibly nurturing and supportive Early Years environment."
New outdoor learning environment
Our Early Years children and staff are delighted with the exciting, new, outdoor learning environment. It provides an amazing starting point for countless activities to support the children’s development across all areas of learning.
> Climbing opportunities develop upper body strength, which in turn strengthens the muscles used in writing.
> A den building area encourages the children to develop their relationships and gain confidence in problem solving.
> A stage area promotes singing and dancing as well as doubling up as a ‘hospital’ or even a ‘moon base’, depending on where our children’s imagination takes them.
> Our exciting new mud kitchen has already been a hive of activity as the children consolidate and extend their writing skills to record their delicious recipes.
Add to this a water wall which develops maths skills as the children compare quantities and consider capacity and it all makes for a truly exceptional outside learning experience. Not to mention the already stunning woodland surroundings which spark the children’s curiosity about the world around them.
