Page 5 - PSPS: A Training guide

Who is this guide for?

The simple answer is that this guide is for everybody involved in supporting young
children to make a planned, happy and meaningful transition from preschool to
primary school.

Whether you are a parent, Early Years or preschool practitioner, school teacher,
service manager or Principal, this guide is for you. By providing practical advice, tips,
and ideas, it expands your toolkit. By presenting an overview of why transitions are so
important to child development and long-term outcomes, it also encourages you to
take time and space to reflect on YOUR role in supporting those transitions.

Section 1.3 looks at transition stakeholders, which delves a little deeper into describing
who may find this guide useful for supporting children’s transition from preschool to
primary school.
How to Use the Guide

When we say ‘guide’ we mean just that – something that will help you on your journey
towards understanding a little more about why transitions are so important and what
you can do to actively plan and support them.

The guide is divided into 10 units: The first 9 are thematic and Unit 10 provides a
reading list, links and downloadable resources to further your own research and
planning.

It is designed to be used as and when you need it. The units are all inter-connected and
can be used together or as stand-alone pieces. Training supports are only effective
when they meet needs so if, for example, you have a very culturally diverse service,
start with Unit 7 (Migrant Children and Cultural Diversity). If you are thinking about
introducing preschool children to their new route to school and their new classroom,
Unit 9 (Environments) is a great place to start.

You may find that reading the guide in its entirety is a good way to familiarise yourself
with all of the major components of the transition from preschool to primary school.
Then, when you encounter a specific issue or want to plan for a particular component,
you can go to the relevant unit and do a more in-depth read. If you are a parent and
your child has a disability (whether suspected or diagnosed) you might find Unit 3
particularly useful. You might be an Early Years practitioner thinking about the best
way to collaborate with local primary schools, so Unit 8 (Communication) is
your starting point. Or maybe you are a primary school teacher who has learned that
there will be multiple languages in your new infant class cohort. Unit 4 will prompt you
to think about the particular needs to factor into your planning.