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Transition to Reception

Positive Transitions to Reception

Starting school is a big step for a child and their family, but there is lots that Early Years settings and schools can do to work together and with families to support the process.

Bristol’s  Positive Transitions guidance has been recently updated to provide clarity regarding responsibilities, processes, and strategies that support transition, enabling a coherent and consistent approach for children and families, and particularly those with SEND.

Positive Transitions in the Early Years

Universal Transfer record

All early years settings in Bristol are requested to complete a Universal Transfer Record for each child moving to reception class and to share these securely with the receiving school. This Record provides a succinct summary of learning and development and other relevant information about how they learn and are a vital part of the transition process.

Reception teachers are requested to read all Universal Transfer records carefully, using them to inform arrangements for transition of each child, and to follow up requests for further conversations other professionals as needed. Reception teachers should also check with their school SENCos and take part in the additional transition planning and processes for children with SEND.

The forms together with guidance on how to complete them, can be downloaded below, together with completed examples, a letter for parents and the associated privacy notice. Settings are also requested to complete additional enhanced transfer documents for children with SEND (also downloadable below).

Please contact your lead teacher and, or the inclusion support team for further advice and support as needed.

Transfer Records for all Children

Universal Transfer Record

Guidance for completing the UTR

Letter for Parents on the UTR

Privacy Notice

Password protecting UTRs

Sending your transfer documents

Password protecting your transfer documents for emailing

Ready for Reception

There are a number of key skills that will support children with a positive start in reception and these should be supported in the early years setting and at home before their first day. The Starting Reception guidance supports families and settings with these.

Strategies to use at home to support transition to school for children with SEND

Ready For Reception Monitoring form

There are a number of key skills that will build children’s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school that will support children to have a successful start in reception.  Supporting and monitoring the development of these together with families will make the journey to Reception as positive as possible.

Early years providers working with preschool aged children can use the Ready for Reception monitoring sheet to support their understanding of, and planning for a child’s journey towards increasing independence in the starting reception skills.

Ready for Reception Monitoring

Positive Transitions in the Early Years – Parent quick guide

Resources to support transition to school

Starting Reception

Starting-Reception.pdf

Home – Starting Reception

NHS Video – Moving up to primary school

Education And Resources For Improving Childhood Continence

All aboard the Toilet Train: Get ready for school – ERIC

Potty training children with additional needs – ERIC

Resources to support transition to school

Books about starting school

Strategies to use at home to support transition to school for children with SEND