Welcome to the Early Years ‘Transition to School’ Professional Learning Community

Goals of the PLC To provide a forum where Early Childhood educators can work collaboratively to provide best learning outcomes for students. To provide a forum where Early Childhood educators can gain a shared understanding of student needs and transition principles.

Let’s get to know each other a little better!

What do you do well? So what is transition? What does it mean to you? What can you improve on?

How do we build on our practice to include contemporary thinking? Previous Beliefs & Practices Current Thinking 1. Transition was about children getting to know school and how it works. 1. Transition is a long and complex process during which children internalise the process of leaving their previous setting and establish their identity in a knew setting. (Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)

Previous Beliefs & Practices Current Thinking 2. Transition was a series of school visits. 2. School visits provide a short term orientation to school, but effective transition takes time and builds a child’s identity and sense of belonging. 3. Transition was about children making adjustments to being at school. 3. Successful transition depends on the school being able to adjust and respond appropriately to children. (Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)

Previous Beliefs & Practices Current Thinking 4. Organising transition was the schools responsibility. 4. Planning for transition is a collaboration between many stakeholders including school, prior-to-school settings and families. 5. Everyone had the same transition. 5. Transition is unique for each child and family, one size does not fit all. 6. Transition involved teaching rules, routines and expectations of school. 6. Children bring ways of belonging, being and becoming from their home and early childhood settings. We help them build on these to support their participation and learning in the school setting. (Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)

Previous Beliefs & Practices Current Thinking 7. Transition got children ready for school. 7. Educators build on children’s prior learning and connect previous and new learning in ways which are meaningful for children. Pedagogical approaches that recognise the value and importance of play maximises continuity and enable educators to plan learning experiences which are differentiated for individuals and groups . 8. Transition for parents included a tour of the site and a meeting with the leader. 8. Leaders build an inclusive culture with processes that respond to the diversity of the community and include families as partners in transition. (Taken from ‘Transition to School ‘, DECD)

Next meeting on Monday 29th June Where to next? Next meeting on Monday 29th June ‘Pedagogy & Play’ What does play look like in your setting? Please bring along examples of play in your site. For more transition resources visit www.decd.sa.gov.au/transitiontoschool