Thanks to all the families who joined us at Swannanoa School for the parent talk a couple of weeks ago, I hope you all found it informative. We will look to have another one of these talks later in the year for those who couldn’t make it.

Here are some of the things which we encourage children to do as they prepare for school:

· Find and put on their own shoes and socks

· Toilet independently and know to wash their hands afterwards

· Be able to dress and undress themselves

· Blow their own nose

· Open their own lunchboxes and small containers inside

If you have any questions about the transition to school process then please don’t hesitate to ask us.

Swannanoa Preschool’s Transition to School

Transition to school is an important part of ngā tamariki lives and we support our tamariki as they embark on their next journey of exploration.

At Swannanoa Preschool it is important to us that tamariki and their whānau transition to school smoothly. Te Whāriki outlines the wider world of family and community as being an integral part of the Early Childhood Curriculum.

We have strong relationships with our surrounding schools and these collaborative relationships help our tamariki experience successful transitions.

The following is our Transition to School process:

· 4 year old school readiness sheet when tamariki turn 4 – one copy into learning journals and one copy to whānau.

· We have discussions with whānau about what school their tamaiti will be going to – reminding them to enrol, or to have a look around if they are unsure of where to send their tamaiti.

· Take a photo of the tamaiti & add to the transition to school board in the foyer.

· Small group time experiences which extend upon interests and encourage school readiness skills such as contributing in groups, taking care of belongings, sharing, co-operative group learning.

· We run a Mahi Tahi group each week, rotating days, which provides the opportunity for the older tamariki from Manaaki and Atawhai to form relationships before the transition to school. Particulalry tamariki from either end, who will be attending the same school. Also, for tamariki to develop some skills and strategies such as; oral language skills within a group, leadership opportunities, independence, ability to take care of oneself and others, confidence, leadership opportunities etc.

· Have a discussion with whānau around when their tamaiti will be starting school.

· “We Are Ready” sheets are filled in by ngā tamaiti key kaiako and their whānau which are then taken and handed to the new entrants kaiako on their first school visit with the preschool.

· We arrange their first school visit with their key kaiako to the school the tamaiti will attend.

· Once back from the school visit kaiako talk with ngā tamaiti about their time at school; what they did, what they enjoyed, who they saw. Kaiako will pass on any further information to whānau in conversation and through Seesaw.

· Graduation mat time on ngā tamaiti final day where all learning journals will be presented.

KEY
Kaiako: includes all teachers, educators and other adults who have a responsibility for the care and education of children in our ECE setting Tamariki: children 
Tamaiti: child 
Tikanga: correct procedure, custom 
Whānau: extended family, family group