Welcome to the Early
Years
‘Transition to School’
Professional Learning
Community
Goals of the PLC
To provide a forum
where Early Childhood
educators can work
collaboratively to
provide best learning
outcomes for students.
To provide a forum
where Early Childhood
educators can gain a
shared understanding of
student needs and
transition principles.
Let’s get to know each
other a little better!
So what is transition?
What does it mean to you?
What do you do well?
What can you improve on?
How do we build on our practice to include
contemporary thinking?
Previous Beliefs & Practices
1. Transition was about children getting
to know school and how it works.
Current Thinking
1. Transition is a long and complex
process during which children internalise
the process of leaving their previous
setting and establish their identity in a
knew setting.
(Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)
Previous Beliefs & Practices
Current Thinking
2. Transition was a series of school
visits.
2. School visits provide a short term
orientation to school, but effective
transition takes time and builds a child’s
identity and sense of belonging.
3. Transition was about children making
adjustments to being at school.
3. Successful transition depends on the
school being able to adjust and respond
appropriately to children.
(Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)
Previous Beliefs & Practices
Current Thinking
4. Organising transition was the schools
responsibility.
4. Planning for transition is a
collaboration between many stakeholders
including school, prior-to-school settings
and families.
5. Everyone had the same transition.
5. Transition is unique for each child and
family, one size does not fit all.
6. Transition involved teaching rules,
routines and expectations of school.
6. Children bring ways of belonging, being
and becoming from their home and early
childhood settings. We help them build on
these to support their participation and
learning in the school setting.
(Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)
Previous Beliefs & Practices
7. Transition got children ready for
school.
Current Thinking
7. Educators build on children’s prior
learning and connect previous and new
learning in ways which are meaningful
for children. Pedagogical approaches that
recognise the value and importance of
play maximises continuity and enable
educators to plan learning experiences
which are differentiated for individuals
and groups .
8. Transition for parents included a tour
of the site and a meeting with the
leader.
8. Leaders build an inclusive culture with
processes that respond to the diversity of
the community and include families as
partners in transition.
(Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)
Where to next?
Next meeting on Monday 29th June
‘Pedagogy & Play’
What does play look like in your
setting? Please bring along examples of
play in your site.
For more transition resources visit www.decd.sa.gov.au/transitiontoschool