Preparing children for the transition to school
The transition to school is a significant milestone for children and families. Our kindergarten programs are designed to support this transition by building confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging, while recognising that every child’s readiness looks a little different.
At The Learning Sanctuary, preparing children for school is not about rushing learning or focusing only on academic skills. It is about supporting the whole child and helping them feel capable, resilient, and ready for the next stage of their learning journey.
How we support school readiness
Throughout the kindergarten/preschool year, educators intentionally embed school readiness experiences into everyday learning and routines. This includes:
- Supporting social and emotional development, including confidence, resilience, and self-regulation.
- Building independence through daily routines such as managing belongings, following instructions, and caring for personal needs.
- Developing foundational skills in language, literacy, and numeracy through play-based, meaningful experiences.
- Encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and a positive approach to learning.
These experiences help children develop the skills and dispositions they need to feel comfortable and confident in a school environment.
Supporting routines and independence
As children approach school age, educators gradually introduce routines that support independence and readiness, such as:
- Practising group times and listening skills.
- Supporting children to manage lunchboxes, bags, and personal items.
- Encouraging responsibility, turn-taking, and collaboration with peers.
- Using simple sign-in or name-recognition activities to help children recognise their name and build early literacy skills.
- Supporting self-help skills such as dressing and undressing, putting on shoes, applying sunscreen, and managing jumpers or hats.
- Practising following simple instructions and routines, such as packing away, lining up, or moving between activities.
- Supporting children to ask for help, express their needs, and communicate confidently with educators and peers.
These everyday moments help children build confidence in their abilities and prepare them for the structure of school life.
Partnering with families during school transition
We work closely with families to ensure the transition to school feels supported and well planned.
Families can expect:
- Ongoing conversations about their child’s readiness, strengths, and interests.
- Information sessions about our kindergarten/preschool programs and how they support school-readiness
- Transition visits that help children become familiar with nearby schools, where appropriate
- Opportunities for children to connect with school representatives when available
- Clear information about school transition processes and timelines.
- A transition statement that reflects each child’s learning and development, shared with families and schools to support continuity.
We also celebrate children’s achievements and milestones as they prepare to move on, recognising the important role families and educators play in supporting this next step.
Our goal is for every child to leave kindergarten/preschool feeling confident, capable, and excited about starting school, with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.