Starting school is such an important milestone for both children and their families. At Netherfield Pre-school we do everything we can to make this transition positive, exciting and reassuring. Our aim is for children to leave us confident, curious and ready to embrace the next stage in their learning journey.

 

We believe that children should begin school with the confidence to make friends, play alongside others, share their ideas and ask for help when they need it. Building independence — such as putting on their own coat, using the toilet and looking after their belongings — is just as important as early literacy and numeracy. Above all, we want children to feel happy, secure and eager to learn.

 

To help prepare for this step, our practitioners plan a range of playful and meaningful activities in the final preschool year, including:

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• Reading stories together about starting school.

• Role-playing classroom life and practising new routines.

• Trying on school uniforms and PE kits.

• Small group games to encourage turn-taking, listening and cooperation.

• Conversations about feelings and what children are looking forward to.

 

We have a well-established partnership with Netherfield School, where children visit the reception classroom weekly during the summer term. This helps them become familiar with the environment, routines and teaching staff. For children moving on to other schools, we liaise closely with teachers, invite them into the preschool where possible, and display photographs of them so the children can start to feel connected before they begin.

 

Parents are an essential part of this journey. We share ideas for how you can support your child at home, such as reading books about starting school, practising simple routines, or walking or driving past the school so your child recognises the building. We keep communication open throughout, so you always feel reassured and well-informed.

 

At Netherfield Pre-school we see this transition not as a goodbye, but as a celebration of all that your child has achieved with us — and a confident step towards a new and exciting chapter in their learning