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Starting at nursery or preschool can be a difficult time for some children, as can moving from nursery to school. This change from being in one place to another, is known as transition. Transitions can also happen within nursery or school, with children moving rooms or classes as they get older.

Transition can be particularly difficult for children with SEND and good preparation is key. Preparing for a good transition should involve everyone, it’s crucial that important information is shared, in plenty of time. Everyone involved should meet to plan the transition and make sure the child and the family are prepared for any changes.

We have an Early Years Inclusion Service, who are there to support settings with their children with SEND. They produce resources for settings, which are available for parents too. You can find some information about transition, things to do and paperwork to fill in on their resources page under ‘T’ Early years inclusion A to Z of resources.

There has also been a national programme, the Early Years SEND Partnership, which was set up to support professionals and parents with training, resources, and an approach to sharing learning, to increase access and inclusion in early years for children with SEND. You can find out more about who was involved and what it does by visiting the Council for Disabled Children website: . As part of the programme they have produced information about transition, with useful tools and things to be aware of at this time – learning from partners including parents and other local authorities .

For autistic learners and others with enhanced transition needs, the Autism and Complex Communication Team have developed a range of downloadable (and editable) resources to support transition between settings (Early Years to Primary, Primary to High etc.) and within settings.

These resources, though designed to help the settings, can be used at home to help support your children during transition and they can be adapted to suit and help to make transition more planned and successful.

The resources include Pupil passports, Sensory profiles, School information booklets, Calming strategies etc.

You can find them halfway down the webpage, under the Resource: School Transition section.

Communication and interaction