Transitions Policy

At Whytebeams Nursery, we recognise that young children will experience many transitions
in their early years; some of these planned and some unplanned. We are sensitive to the
impact of such changes to children and this policy sets out the ways in which we support
children going through these transitions.

Some examples of transitions that young children and babies may experience are:

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• Starting nursery

• Moving between different age areas within the nursery

• Starting school or moving nurseries

• Family breakdowns

• New siblings

• Moving home

• Death of a family member or close friend

• Death of a family pet

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Staff are trained to observe their key children and to be sensitive to any changes in their
behaviour and personality. We respectfully ask that parents inform us of any changes in the
home environment that may impact on their child so staff can be aware of the reasons
behind any potential changes in the child’s behaviour.

Starting nursery

We recognise that starting nursery may be difficult for some children and their families. We
have a Settling In Policy to support the child and their family.

Moving Area Procedure

When a child is ready to move to areas, for example from the toddler area to the main
preschool, we follow the process set out below and work with the parents to ensure this is a
seamless process in which the child is fully supported at all stages. This may include a
handover meeting between the existing key person, new key person and parents:

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• Planning according to the individual needs of the child

• Enabling the child to spend short sessions in their new area, with their key person initially, prior to the permanent move to so they feel comfortable in their new surroundings and have a familiar person present most of the time

• Wherever possible transitioning groups of friends together to enable these friendships to be maintained and support the children with the peers they know

• Keeping parents informed of the process and outcomes of these transition sessions e.g. through photographs, discussions or Tapestry entries

• Only transitioning the child when they feel settled and ready to move.  If a child requires more support this will be discussed between the key person, parent and manager or deputy manager of the new area to agree how and when this will happen.

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Starting school or moving childcare providers

Starting school is an important transition and some children may feel anxious about the
move. We will do all we can to facilitate a smooth transition and minimise any potential
stresses. This following process relates to children going to school. However, wherever
possible, we will adapt this process to support children moving to another childcare
provider e.g. childminder or another nursery:

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• We provide a variety of resources that relate to school e.g. uniform to dress up in, a role play area set up as a school classroom, photographs of the schools and so on. This helps the children to become familiar with this new concept and will aid the transition

• Build relationships with local schools and invite them to visit children they will be receiving in September at the end of summer term. We provide a transition handover during these visits and where the teacher cannot not attend we offer a phone call instead.

• Support any visits planned by the school for children to attend with their parent or carer during nursery time.

• Each key person will talk about the school with their key children who are due to move to school and discuss what they think may be different and what may be the same. They will talk through any concerns the child may have and initiate activities or group discussions relating to any issues to help children overcome these

• We produce a comprehensive transition report on every child leaving the setting and with parental permission will share this with the school to enable teachers to have a good understanding of every child received. This will include their interests, strengths and level of understanding and development in key areas. This will support continuity of care and early learning

• With parental permission around school allocation day, we may share details of the schools children are going to so parents can see which children may be going to the same school. This can offer some reassurance for the children to know that are moving with some familiar peers.

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Other early years providers

Where children are attending other early years settings or are cared for by a childminder,
we will work with them to share relevant information about children’s development. Where
a child is brought to nursery or collected from nursery by a childminder, we will ensure that
key information is being provided to the child’s parent by providing the information directly
to the parent via email, or telephone call where necessary. Relevant information will also be
shared with the childminder if this is in the child’s best interests.

Family breakdowns

We recognise that when parents separate it can be a difficult situation for all concerned. We
have a Separated Family Policy that shows how the nursery will act in the best interest of
the child.

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Moving home and new siblings

We recognise that both these events may have an impact on a child. Normally, parents will
have advance notice of these changes and we ask parents to let us know about these events
so we can support the child to be prepared. The key person will spend time talking to the
child and providing activities that may help the child to act out any worries they have e.g.
through role play, stories and discussions.

Bereavement

We recognise that this may be a very difficult time for children and their families and have a
separate Bereavement Policy, which we follow to help us offer support to all concerned
should this be required.

If parents feel that their child requires additional support because of any changes and/or
transitions in their life, we ask that you speak to the nursery manager or deputy and the key
person to enable this effective support to be put into place.