Transition to Reception

 
 

Transition to Reception

The transition from a School Nursery (FS1) to the Reception Class (FS2) can be easier for those children who already attend the school but there will be different expectations of the children as they progress through the school.  For some children this will be the first time that they have attended a school setting.  Some may have accessed EY Provision in a Private Day Nursery, Pre-school or Childminder whereas for others this may be the first time they have accessed any EY Provision. It is important that transition takes account of these different needs.

Hull City Council and the Hull Learning Partnership have worked closely together to create a clear transition process that supports your child on this very important transition point in their education. The transition offer is split into both a CORE OFFER for all pupils and a specialist, often bespoke, offer for vulnerable pupils who may find the move harder than others and need more time to transition gradually.

CORE OFFER-Agreed by all Primary Schools

  • Offer a visit for families to meet the staff and look around the setting before the child starts the school.  This will usually be in the Summer Term after school allocations

  • Share a pack with families including information about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (see documents below).

  • Parents to complete form for FSM form if applicable which will ensure they receive the EYPP monies

  • Talk to the Nursery/FS1 Teacher about the child’s strengths and if there are any general concerns if the child has attended the School Nursery

  • Contact the previous setting (Private Nursery, Pre-school or Childminder) for information on the child including a copy of the 2 Year Old Progress Check (if applicable), Developmental Overview and Transition Document (see documents below).

  • Contact families to find out more about the child (especially important if the child has never accessed any form of EY Provision) which may include a questionnaire or ‘All About Me’ form (see documents below).  Ask for a copy of the ASQ3 check which Health Visitors complete when a child is between 24 and 30 months of age

  • A member of the school’s SLT and/or EYFS Co-ordinator will oversee the transition in to the school

CORE OFFER-Good Practice Enhancements

  • Send a welcome letter to families sharing the school’s website and inviting them to join the school’s Facebook/Twitter/Tapestry

  • Host Frequently Asked Questions on the school website

  • Share an introductory video with families using the website/Facebook/Twitter which families can replay and talk to their child about

SUPPORT FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE PUPILS (in addition to the Core Offer)

  • School SEND Co-ordinator to liaise with the LA’s Inclusion Team (which may include Portage) who have detailed records of all SEND pupils at different stages coming through to school

  • If a child has previously attended the school ensure that information is shared between teachers and the school SEND Co-ordinator

  • If a child has previously attended a Private Day Nursery, Pre-school or Childminder, request a copy of the SEND Transition Document which contains detailed information and support for the child

  • Ensure any other SEND records/Inclusion records are received and go to the key members of staff to aid transition

  • Work closely with the school nurse /health visitors to gain a full picture of the child and any potential concerns

  • The school’s inclusion team to repeat the above process for vulnerable pupils identified by the previous setting

SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE PUPILS-Good Practice Enhancements

  • Offer home visits

  • Offer more visits to the school over a longer more flexible period of time

  • Ensure more visits between FS1 and FS2 (Reception) when a child already attends the school

  • Ensure that  information about the routine of the day is shared with the family using videos and the school website

EARLY HELP FAMILY SUPPORT

  • Support with a range of parenting issues for families using the Family Star Plus evidence based assessment tool.  The family will be allocated a support worker who would assess the needs of the family and put in place a SMART plan. The worker would then support the family to address the agreed actions in the plan

  • The Early Help service offers a wide range of support for parents through the Early Help Parenting Programme, including group and 1-1 courses.  Further information can be found by visiting the Hull City Council website here.

  • Online Parenting Guides ‘Understanding Your Child’ can be easily accessed by all Hull residents by clicking here and entering the code FREEDOM

  • A wide range of play sessions are available at the Early Help Children’s Centres which are all developed around the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.  Further information on play sessions, home learning, along with links to the libraries, health services, home safety advice, jobs and benefits advice together with contact details of all Children’s Centres can be found by visiting the Children and Families page on the Hull City Council Website.                         

  • For the Professional Audience Only - Early Help Webinars presented by the Early Help team which cover and share a wide range of themes and information on Early Help services can be found here.

Children must attend school from the term after which they turn 5.  Most schools however encourage children to attend from the September of the academic year in which they turn 5. For children who are under compulsory school age , once a school place has been allocated, parents may, if they wish, agree with the school a pattern of part time attendance or a deferred start until later in that school year (but no later than the beginning of the summer term). Children born from 1st April to 31st August (summer born children) do not need to start school until the September after their fifth birthday.  Where the parent delays their child’s start until the September after their 5th birthday, they may request their child is admitted out of their normal age group in order to start in reception rather than year 1.  The decision about which of reception or year 1 the child is admitted to should be in the basis of the circumstances of the case and in the best interests of the child concerned.

1st October 2020 – 15th January 2021 - Applications for Primary School places

16th April 2021 - Allocation Day

Spring – Transitions for vulnerable children begin

Summer 2 – Transitions for other children

Hull City Council Website Access

My School Portal
Here you can apply for school places and school meals

First Day at School Nursery (BBC)
Top tips to help your child prepare for this important milestone.

Family Information Service Hull
If you are looking for childcare to suit the needs and budget of you and your family, the family information service can help.

Early Help Parenting Offer
Parents do a fantastic job, but there are times when some extra support may be needed. As part of the support available to parents in Hull we offer the following courses to help.

Solihull Online Parenting Guides
Gain more confidence as a parent-to-be, parent, grandparent and carer and try these free handy parenting guides full of top tips and advice.

Hull Children's Centres
Find out more about the wide range of services at our children's centres across Hull that can help

Early Help Family Support
There will be times when you and your family need support or when you are not sure how to make things better. There are a group of services in Hull collectively known as Early Help who can support you at these times and make problems easier to understand and quicker to solve.

Early Help Webinars
A collection of online webinars from across the Early Help service.