Preparing for school and other transitions

We have already said goodbye to some of our classroom children as they graduate from our nursery to Primary School.

At least 35 children will leave us by the end of August so to prepare them for their next big adventure we have been organising lots of school type activities such dressing up in the local school jumpers and uniforms, bringing a packed lunch in, having a water bottle and talking about school in books and display work.

We are planning a classroom group photograph which will be taken before the end of term and presented along with a book as a farewell gift.

What about the other rooms?

The Baby room's and Toddler room will also experience some changes because as space allows some of the older children in each room will spend time in the next room up so they can familiarise themselves with the staff and new room.  The time spent on transition varies according to a child's need as we have found some prefer a longer transition time (couple of days over weeks) and others prefer a very quick one.  Please do talk to the staff if you have any concerns.

Time for school - CBeebies documentary series starts Monday 6th Jan 2014

CBeebies welcomes a brand new show, Time for School at 4.30pm on Monday 6th January 2014.

It's a fly-on-the-wall first for CBeebies as they follow a group of Reception children through their very first term at 'big school'.

Executive Producer Sallyann has written a blog about how the team filmed such an important journey in a child's life: http://bbc.in/19Mhg1E

There's also the 'Time for School' pages to look at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/time-for-school

Too much too soon: information on the campaign about changing the school starting age

Earlier this month the "Too Much, Too Soon" campaign made headlines with a letter calling for a change to the start age for formal learning in schools. Here, one of the signatories, Cambridge University researcher David Whitebread, explains why children may need more time to develop before their formal education begins in earnest.

http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/discussion/school-starting-age-the-evidence

To find out more about the 'Too much, too soon' campaign or sign the petition, visit: http://www.toomuchtoosoon.org/