At Sherborne House, we pride ourselves on providing your child with a smooth, tailored transition into school. We believe that with the right approach, the transition can be an exciting, positive experience for everyone involved. Our Reception team has created a list of top tips for helping your child settle into school.
Understanding the Transition
It is important to understand the differences between nursery and school environments. The school day follows a timetable which provides children with a structure of different learning. The pupils engage in more adult led activities for a sustained period of time. The layout of the school grounds involves moving from different areas of the school to receive our specialist teaching. Your child will be exposed to new teachers, peers and classrooms during their first few weeks at school. Your child will be learning and adapting to a new daily routine which can make them feel more tired throughout the day. It is important to prepare both yourself and your child for this transition.
How can we help?
Meet your child’s new class teacher during home visits
Attend our Readiness for Reception sessions run by our Reception team
Attend our Welcome to Reception evening in June to find out more about the first few weeks of school
It is important to get organised with school supplies such as bags, book bags and uniforms.
Preparing Your Child for school
We encourage parents to start conversations about school early to build excitement and familiarity. A good place to start is reading books about starting school to help your child understand what to expect. Chandler’s Ford library has a section of children’s books about starting school which is a fantastic place to start. Our children begin their first transition sessions in April where our focus will be ‘The Colour Monster Goes to School’. We believe that starting transition early allows children time to build secure relationships with their teachers and peers before starting school in September. We encourage you to keep track of important dates and events related to school transition via our school calendar.
Visit the School
It is important to arrange visits to the school with your child so you can both become familiar with the environment. During your visits, point out key areas such as the main office, the dinner hall, the playground and your child’s classroom. Our Pre-Reception children regularly visit our Reception classrooms and enjoy sharing a garden with the older children. Please sign up and meet our Early Years team during the next open day on the 20th April 2024.
Establish Routines
We encourage parents to start establishing school-like routines at home, such as regular bedtime and morning routines. Your child can practise activities like getting dressed independently, going to the toilet and using a knife and fork. The Early Years team has put together a list of top tips for encouraging independence before starting school.
Build Confidence
We understand that starting school can be an exciting time but also overwhelming for many children. At Sherborne House, we believe it is important to validate any fears or anxieties your child may have about starting school. Children should be encouraged to express their feelings and be reassured that it’s normal to feel nervous.
How to support your child;
- Highlight your child’s strengths and remind them of times they’ve overcome challenges
- Encourage them to try new things and reassure them that you’re there to support them
- Print out a copy of our school menu and try these new foods at home
- Maintain a positive attitude about the transition, even if you’re feeling anxious yourself
At Sherborne House, we understand just how important starting school is for both children and parents. Our Reception team is dedicated to making this journey an exciting and nurturing experience for all our children. We are here to support each individual family with this next step in your child’s education. Please contact our Head of Early Years, Arabelle Tuck, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s transition into school.
a.tuck@sherbornehouse.co.uk
