Date compiled – 08/02/11
Guidance to develop a
Transitions Policy
Within the guidance below are headings which you need to be aware of when
developing/reviewing your Transitions Policy. Please be aware that each setting is
unique and that policies and procedures need to reflect this, and headings need to
be specific to your organisation. Please note headings may need to change in
relation to legislation and therefore be reviewed on a regular basis. It is good
practice that all the settings policies and procedures link with each other.
(Wording is for guidance only, wording in italics are ideas on what to include within
the headings, underlined statements are for information only and should be removed
from final Transitions Policy)
Statement
“Children may move between several different settings in the course of a day, a
week , a month or a year… Children’s social, emotional and educational needs
are central to any transition between one setting and another or within one
setting… Some children and their parents will find transition times stressful
while others will enjoy the experience …Effective communication between
settings is key to ensuring that children’s needs are met and there is continuity
in their learning” DFES – Early Years Foundation Stage
Aim
[Name of provider] is committed to ensure a smooth transition between settings
and key workers for parents, children and practitioners.
Transition into Pre-school/Nursery

Enquiries [name of provider] - (Invite for a visit/use website (if appropriate)
speak to supervisor/manager/leaflet or prospectus)

Starting Nursery - (Date agreed with parent/introductory visits/welcome
pack including relevant documentation concerning the child i.e. registration
form/ medical form/permission forms etc/Home visit (if applicable))

Note – child will not be able to start without completed documentation –
safeguarding

Settling In – (Phone calls/parent stays/process when parent leaves i.e.
encouraged to say goodbye, visual timetable is used in the setting, include
flexibility)

Sharing of information - (How - parents evening, daily diary, verbally etc
Who – parents/carers etc (If child attending from another setting requesting
information – by whom – how)
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS ACCURATE, BUT NO
RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
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Date compiled – 08/02/11
Transition from Pre-school/Nursery into school

Teacher visits – (How often, when, which schools)

School visits -– (When, which schools, staff)

Discussions – (Half Term before children due to start, discuss positively,
read starting school stories, listen to the children, encourage to talk about
their school visits, school uniform etc)

Practitioners Links to School – (Transfer forms, discussions re child’s
interests)

Leaving Ceremony/Party – (How is this celebrated, who is encouraged to
attend)

Children’s paperwork – (learning journeys/personal pathways)
Transitions to childminders

Supervisor/Keyworker Links – (Sharing information verbally, daily diaries
etc) to be included in learning journey/personal pathways etc)
Note – need parents permission to share information
Informing parents of changes to policy
(How do you inform parents of any changes made to policy? Notice period for
change i.e. 1 month. How do you record parents are made aware and agree to the
changes? I.e. returns slip on information letter/invoice detailing the changes).
Note
 If changes are made to any policies which impact on parents, then notice
needs to be given for example a month.

All parents need to sign to agree the changes (Parents could be made aware
of the changes with a returns slip on the bottom of an invoice, or a separate
letter with returns slip)

By keeping the returns slip and original amended/updated documentation, this
safeguards the setting.
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS ACCURATE, BUT NO
RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
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Date compiled – 08/02/11
Links to other policies and legislation

Legislation – Children Act 2004, Childcare Act 2006 etc

Nurseries policy, Admissions policy, parent partnership policy, inclusion policy
and complaints policy and procedure.

Every Child Matters Outcome: Enjoy and Achieve, Make a positive
contribution

General Welfare Requirement: Documentation, Safeguarding and promoting
children’s welfare, Organisation
A unique Child
1.1 Child
Development
1.2 Inclusive
Practice
1.4 Health and
Well being
Positive
Relationships
2.1 Respecting
each other
2.2 Parents as
partners
2.3 Supporting
learning
2.4 Key person
Enabling
environments
3.1 Observation
Assessment
Planning
3.2 Supporting
every child
3.3 The Learning
Environment
3.4 The Wider
Context
Learning and
development
4.1 Play and
exploration
4.2 Areas of
Learning
Note – Information below only needs to be included on the main policy which has
been adopted and not on parents copy,
This policy was adopted at a meeting of [
] Held on ____________
Signed on behalf of management committee _____________________________
Name of signatory___________________ Role of signatory ___________________
Date to be reviewed _________________________________________________
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS ACCURATE, BUT NO
RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
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