Transition to School

Our Transition to School programme runs in our Super Castle for 4+ year old children in line with the Centre’s philosophy of an ’emergent curriculum’.  We operate on a 1:5 ratio and generally children are able to participate throughout the day.  This is enabled through preparing our learning environment with tables and resources supporting the programme.  However, we provide particular focus on the programme generally between 11.00am – 2.00pm with our lunch break in between.  Rotation of teachers occurs every few weeks.

OUR TEACHERS

We place particular emphasis on our team by ensuring our transition to school programme is supported by suitably qualified teachers.  Accordingly, transition to school team has specialised Early Childhood as well as Primary School Teachers.  These teachers work together to build the transition to school programme and ensure it is relevant for our Children by undertaking the necessary assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. 

READINESS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our aim for Transition to School group is to ensure a smooth and successful transition into the School environment for our children and families.  We aim to enrich children’s knowledge, challenge their thinking; empowering their capabilities for their next educational journey.

Parents and whānau are assisted with information about local schools and ensuring their child is involved in pre-school visits which occurs two weekly. We are committed to maintaining relationships with our local schools, keeping up to date with the enrolment process and better accommodating our families should they require it.   

WHAT IS OUR TRANSITION TO SCHOOL PROGRAMME?

The programme operates with an integrated approach to the delivery of curriculum areas; Arts, Culture, Technology, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Language and Languages and Physical Education.  This approach fosters and develops necessary dispositions and skills required for positive learning and development e.g. communication skills, information skills, problem solving skills, self-management, competitive skills, social and cooperative skills, physical skills and work and study skills.

Transition to School practices include offering children who are due to commence school in the near future, the opportunity to bring a lunch box and drink and self-manage.   Our experienced teachers discuss experiences of starting at a new place and read stories about children starting school.

The school visits are recorded and photos are taken during the visit at the primary school and.  These experiences are shared in many ways including on the Centre walls, digitally and directly with parents and whanau.

Our teachers provide additional support and advice to whānau regarding their child with special needs ensuring the specific needs of the child are met in the transition to school process.

SHARING EXPERIENCES

Work completed by children is shared with parents to view at the end of each day.  A display wall for parents to view the group’s work, and for children to revisit their learning is also allocated in the centre.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Our Transition to School Policy and Practical Tips is shared with all parents and whanau whose children are in the Transition to School Programme.  We work closely with primary school in respect of our Policy and observe how children are developing to continuously improve the programme.