CUR110 Transition to School 2024.3

Transition to School Policy

References:

MJ2Ex (Montessori Journey to Excellence)

Education (Early Childhood) Regulations 2008,

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education C107 C109 C112

Te Whāriki:

Mana Tangata/Contribution Goal 3: Children experience an environment where they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others.

Mana Whenua/Belonging Goal 3: Children and their families experience an environment where they feel comfortable with the routines, customs, and regular events.

NELP:

Goal 2: Have high aspirations for every learner/ākonga and support these by partnering with their whānau and communities to design and deliver education that responds to their needs, and sustains their identities, languages and cultures

Statement of Intent:

Going to school is an exciting and challenging time for tamariki and their parents/whānau/caregivers. We acknowledge that it also can be a period of vulnerability for many tamariki. At Windsor Montessori we will support every tamaiti, parent/whānau/caregiver to make this time a successful and positive experience where tamariki are supported for their next stage of learning.

We aim to empower tamariki with a love of learning through the Montessori approach to learning and development. The Montessori philosophy is considered an ‘education for life’ and this lays the foundation for all we do at preschool. Within the Montessori approach for learning lies the deep understanding that all tamariki are unique and individual. MJ2Ex (Montessori Journey to Excellence) will support all tamariki through the learning outcomes as they grow, develop and mature.

Te Whāriki, Aotearoa Early Childhood Curriculum, supports tamariki to “grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and secure in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.”

Strategies:

Effective transitions are important to the development of tamariki self-worth, confidence and resilience and ongoing success at school.

Procedure:

Kaiako acknowledge that school transition is a process. Every tamaiti is different and will be supported accordingly
Good relationships between tamariki, kaiako and parents/whānau/caregivers are essential in supporting tamariki settling into school
To support tamariki and parents/whānau/caregivers to make the transition from the preschool to primary school as smooth as possible.

We achieve this by:

Supporting tamariki to develop skills such as self-care, independence, confidence, leadership, problem solving skills, working individually and collaboratively within a group, communication and sharing of ideas, listening and following instructions
Providing learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate, stimulating and engaging
Providing information about local schools to parents/whānau/caregivers. Kaiako will be available to chat about any questions or concerns they may have
Visiting local schools, and creating a relationship with the school and new entrant kaiako to enable a smoother transition.
Inviting new entrant kaiako from local schools to visit our preschool to see what the Montessori approach to learning looks like in practice and have the opportunity to meet with parents/whānau/caregivers and tamariki
Encouraging tamariki who have left and are at primary school to come back to preschool for a visit to share their experiences with other tamariki
Kaiako being committed to reflecting on best practice to supporting all tamariki make the transition to school. Regular communication with whānau will take place leading up to their tamaiti visits to school so that whānau are informed of the schools and individual processes that each school has.

Review:

Date:

Review Date:

Signed:

Consultation: