Before a child comes in to our Nursery, staff will carry out a home visit to discuss the child and their strengths and needs. For children joining Brookfield Reception class, a member of staff will collect information and records from previous Nursery provision. We always encourage parents to visit our Nursery or Reception classes. We plan carefully to help children to feel safe and settle in. We have taster sessions in nursery with parents welcome, settling in days, lunch-time visits and playground visits. Children joining reception, come and meet their new teacher before the summer holiday.
Parents of any children coming into nursery or joining reception from outside providers are encouraged to complete a ‘My unique child’ booklet and these are given out at the parent meeting the term before the child starts. When a child moves up to the next class, we organise “Hand-Over” meetings where teachers and support staff make sure that the new teacher and teaching assistant (TA) have a clear understanding of the needs of all children.
For more information about Transition at Brookfield, please refer to our Transition Policy.
If necessary we also provide an opportunity for parents and their children with SEN/D to meet the new teacher and TA before the start of the school year. Parents and children will be able to visit the new classroom and get to know the new adults who will be teaching and supporting them. When a child comes to our school in the middle of a term, we plan a range of support – depending on the particular needs of each child. This often involves a team of “Buddies” to help her/him settle in to the new class and provide help to find their way around the school.
| Other Transitions | The key focus | Who involved | What we do |
| Primary to Secondary transition for children with EHC plans/ statements |
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| Mid-term admissions |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Managing Transitions)
Q. What happens when my child – who has a SEN statement/Education Health Care plan – moves on to secondary school?
A. We invite parents and the secondary school SENDCO to take part in the Annual Review of the Statement/Education Health and Care plan in year 6. We then provide extra escorted and supported visits to the secondary school: these involve a tour of the school and a meeting with the form tutor. We then discuss with the secondary SENDCO any extra support for each child depending on her or his needs. This often involves a “Buddy” arrangement – a Year 8 child makes friends with the new pupil and helps her/him through the first term.
Q. Who do I talk to about my child moving between Reception and Year 1 and between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2?
A. It depends on your child’s needs. The starting point would be your child’s current class teacher. You might then want to talk to the SENDCO
Q. What might change about my child’s support when he moves to secondary school?
A. Our SENDCO will make sure that the secondary school is fully aware of his/her needs and explains what was most effective and successful for him in the primary phases of education. The secondary school will then plan a programme of support suitable for the secondary curriculum.
Q. How do I find out about who the new point of contact will be in the new school?
A. You should request a meeting with the school’s SENDCO as soon as possible after your child starts secondary school. The SENDCO holds all the records on children with SEN/D new to the school and s/he will let you know who the Key Worker will be for your child.