Transition between the Under Twos and Over Twos

Ratioanle: To ensure a smooth transition for children moving from the under two’s to the over two room.

Policy: Staff will understand and respect that each child is an individual and may take longer or shorter to make the full transition to the over two room.  Teachers will collaborate with parents and whaanau, deciding together the best form of transition for the child. Teachers will follow the centre procedure to achieve supportive and successful transitions.

Procedure for Transition:

1. When a child shows an interest in the over twos space, and willingly accompanies one of their under twos teachers into the space, we will begin to initiate visits.  This will happen when the child indicates to us they are ready.  These visits will often be around half an hour, or as long as the child is relaxed and comfortable. During this time, the child’s allocated primary care teacher from the over twos will spend time with them and take some time to chat with their under twos teachers about their needs and interests.  We will make time for these visits as the numbers and teacher ratios allow.

2. As the child becomes more confident in the over twos space, and with their primary care teacher, they will be encouraged to visit unaccompanied by their under twos teachers.  These visits may be longer and include transition times such as mat times and meal times.  This is also where parents are invited to make a time that suits them to visit with their child, so that they may have the chance to learn from the child’s primary care teacher more about the over twos.  This will include routines and where things like lockers for bags and nappies are. They can also discuss any concerns they may have about the transition with the child’s primary care teacher.

3. When the child has spent more time in the over twos, and seems relaxed and happy in the environment, while also choosing to be in the over twos more than the under twos, we (teachers and parents) will make the decision that they are ready.  This will mean that their belongings and bag will now be kept in the over twos, and they will be encouraged to spend their day with the over twos children and teachers.  While children are going through this period of transition, we will not force them to stay in the over twos. If they are clearly not coping and if for what ever reason this becomes in any way distressing for them, they will have the choice to spend time back with their under twos teachers.

WHAT MATTERS MOST TO US WHEN CHILDREN ARE TRANSIONING BETWEEN OUR UNDER AND OVER TWOS ROOMS IS THAT CHILDREN FEEL SUPPORTED, LOVED AND EMPOWERED TO BE CHALLENGED AND EXTENDED.  EACH TRANSITION IS DIFFERENT AND WE RESPECT EACH CHILD FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.