Importance of transition to school

The importance of a positive transition to school experience has been consistently emphasised in research around the world. A large body of evidence suggests a successful transition helps improve children’s educational and social outcomes.

Transition to School Statement

The Transition to School Statement is completed by a child’s early childhood teacher or educator and is sent to their new school. The statement:

• summarises a child’s strengths, interests and approaches to learning
• passes this information between families, early childhood teachers and educators
• gives children a voice in the process of meeting new people in the school environment
• helps link the Early Years Learning Framework to the Early Stage 1 Syllabus.

The importance of transition is reflected in the National Quality Standard (NQS). The standards require early childhood education and care services to collaborate with service providers and families to achieve quality outcomes for children. It also recognises that continuity of learning is supported by the sharing of information and the clarifying of responsibilities.

The Transition to School Digital Statement is now available for all Department of Education preschools, community preschools and long day care centres. Other service types will continue to use the PDF Transition to School Statement however, they will be provided with access to use the Digital Statement in future years. Click here to access the Transition to School Statement for your service.

Professional learning

This professional learning supports teachers and educators in early childhood services to provide meaningful information in the Transition to School Statement and for teachers and educators in schools to use the information effectively to support transition to school.