Moving from early years to primary school
Moving from nursery to ‘big school’ is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel like a big change for you and your child.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) may need extra support during this time, and that's okay. With the right planning and support, children with SEND can have a positive and successful start to reception year. We call this move a transition.
This page explains what happens before your child starts school, who will support them, and how you can help them feel ready for this next step.
Getting ready to move to reception year
We know that every child is different. Some children look forward to starting school, while others may feel uncertain or worried about changes to their routine, environment, or the people around them.
Transition is not a one-off event. It's a series of conversations, activities and support that helps your child feel confident, understood and ready to start school.
As part of transition planning, those who support your child will think about their:
- specific needs
- strengths
- interests
- potential anxieties
- learning styles.
Supporting your child at home
Helping your child talk about starting school can make a real difference. You can encourage them to:
- become familiar with the idea of starting school
- have time to talk about the move with their family
- get used to new environments and information
- discuss their needs, wants, likes and dislikes.
Many parents tell us they have a mixture of excitement and anxiety when their child starts school. That's completely normal. We've spoken to families who have already been through this experience and asked them what helped. They shared practical tips and ideas to make the move to school feel easier and more positive.
Read their tips for helping your child start school.
What happens before your child starts school
April to May
A meeting will take place where professionals who support your child will discuss your child's needs. They will put a plan in place to support the move to school. Professionals who go to this meeting can be:
- Portage
- SEND support and inclusion county co-ordinator
- SEN inclusion advisers
- early years specialist teachers
- outreach intervention managers.
Learn more about some of these professionals.
Children with education, health and care (EHC) plans
If your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, there is an additional process to help plan and agree their school placement. This is known as a phase transfer. Read more about phase transfers.
June to July
Your child's key person will arrange a transition meeting with you. This is a chance to share information and help the school get to know your child before they start.
You will usually meet:
- your child's new teacher
- the school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO)
- your child's key person.
Remember, you know your child best, so make sure you share your:
- thoughts
- hopes
- concerns
- wishes for the future.
From September
Further meetings will take place to make sure your child is happy at school and getting the support they need.
How your child's new school will support them
Mainstream schools should be able to support children with SEND and provide help based on their individual needs.
Schools have access to guidance, training and specialist advice to help them understand your child's needs and create an inclusive environment where they can learn and thrive.
This includes:
- Starting Strong - what to expect from education settings
- Mainstream Core Standards
- training from
- training to help children who are making slower progress
- support from our early years specialist teachers to develop their understanding of supportive strategies in the classroom.
See what support your child should be getting from their primary school