Transition

Transition into our Reception

We work hard with local nurseries to ensure that all children have a happy, healthy transition into our Reception cohort. Our Early Years team start the transition process as soon as children are allocated a place with us, and this includes nursery visits and discussions with families. We offer transition days and 'meet the teacher' events in the summer term, and we have a graduated transition process for children as they start Reception in September. 

Key Dates for Transition - 2026

Other Key Dates

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

If your child has a special educational need or disability, a longer transition process may be required. This will be planned carefully with families, nurseries/pre-schools or any other outside agency. Please contact the school office to speak with the school's SENDco to organise this/discuss whether you think this may be appropriate for your child. We always endeavour to meet each child's individual need. 

Preparing Your Child for School

We take pride in our transition process here at Oatlands, and ensuring your child/children feel settled and emotionally prepared for school is our priority. We have collated some top tips to ease any anxieties and ensure your child (and you!) feel prepared.

• Talk to your child about their daily routine. Who will be dropping off/collecting them? What will they be having for lunch? Who will be there? (Show them pictures of staff, friends or even take a walk past the school to familiarise them with the setting). Take the time to answer any questions they may have.
• Make the goodbye prompt and positive. This sounds easy, but can be one of the most difficult things to do. Giving your child “one more minute” prolongs the inevitable. As a parent, the best thing you can do is give them a quick hug and reassure them you will be back soon.
• Establish a goodbye routine. This could be a secret handshake or gesture. If your child is especially struggling spray some of your perfume/aftershave on their jumper to remind them of home. In school we will reassure pupils and let them know we are in contact and connected with their parents.
• Arrive on time. Arriving late can spark separation anxiety, especially if class has started.
• Stay calm and enthusiastic. Modelling appropriate behaviour is key to ensuring a smooth transition. Try very hard not to allow your child to sense your anxiety. Talk positively about school and the fun they will have with their friends and how you can’t wait to hear about the excitement they’ve had at the end of the day.
• Encourage friendships. Where possible, make a point to familiarise your child with someone else going to their school.

Promoting Independence

Beginning school is all about developing independence and the skills required to become inquisitive learners. Therefore, we encourage the following:

• Practise dressing and undressing themselves 
• Putting on coats/managing a bag
• Be confident about using the toilet (including wiping!) and hand washing
• Using a knife and fork
• Practise peeling fruit and eating whole apples etc. with the skin on
• Recognising their own name - useful for finding their possessions
• Familiarise them with the name of their teacher and class name

Developing Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Fine and gross motor skills lay the foundation for pre-writing skills. Here are some great ideas to help develop muscle strength:

• Climbing up/down ladders, trees etc
• Role-play activities such as 'moving house' (carrying boxes, wrapping things up etc) 
• Jumping, hopping, skipping around large spaces
• Cooking/play-doh (stirring, rolling, mixing, squeezing)
• Squeezy bath toys
• Lego and duplo

Transition to Junior School

Children normally transfer from the Infant School to Oatlands Junior School. Children who attend Oatlands Infant School are guaranteed a place at the Junior School, however an application must still be submitted. Applications for a place at the Junior School are made through the North Yorkshire County Council Admissions office.

There is close liaison between the two schools throughout the academic year.  Members of staff meet regularly and engage in joint training sessions, and subject leaders work closely together to ensure that the Infant and Junior School learning journeys align. This includes the use of the same schemes in many areas of the curriculum, such as White Rose in Maths and Jigsaw in PSHE. All teachers in both schools visit each other at least annually, and the Headteachers work in close partnership with each other.

The Year 2 children visit the Junior School on a number of occasions in their final year at the Infant School as a means of preparing them for their new school and familiarising them with the building, routines and staff. The Infant and Junior Schools also co-host the Christmas and Summer Fairs, which helps children to familiarise themselves with the site and staff.

Children with more complex needs often have a longer transition period, which starts shortly after Christmas during their time in Year 2. The Infant School continue to support Oatlands Junior School even after our children have left Year 2 as we have such strong connections with the children and their families. Therefore, the transition process tends to come to a close by October half term as the children have settled into Year 3.