School Transition Programs: Supporting New Students

Ready for Their Next Big Adventure

Starting primary school is a big step for any child, and for their family too. At our Singleton preschool, the Transition to School Programme helps children feel settled, confident and genuinely excited about what’s ahead, with plenty of support for parents along the way.

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A Transition to School Programme is a structured approach to preparing children for the move from preschool to primary school, covering everything from emotional readiness to practical routines. At Skallywags, this looks like a year of purposeful activities, conversations and support built around each child’s needs.

Our centre’s Transition to School programme has been created in response to the parent’s and children’s need to prepare to start primary school.

Our Transition to School Programme supports a child’s engagement with the school, their wellbeing and their ongoing learning direction. Our transition programme is collaboratively planned and evaluated by all people involved.

What our Transition to School Programme Includes

Our school transition programme includes:

Planned experiences to support children to feel settled in a new place (their new school)
Information sessions and workshops for parents and carers.
Ongoing experiences and learning for the children.

Research shows that children learn best when they feel safe and supported. Our programme, therefore, helps children to become comfortable with the new school environment and to reduce the anxiety they may feel during their first few weeks of primary school.

Skills Your Child Can Develop Before School

Our school transition program also aims to support children in developing several skills before starting primary school, such as:

Physical health and wellbeing — Our Transition to School programme develops children’s physical readiness through motor skills training and healthy routines, ensuring children have the strength and coordination for classroom learning and active play.
Social competence — Our program develops social skills through group activities and guided interactions, helping children develop confidence in making friends, resolving conflicts and adapting to structured social environments.
Emotional maturity — We help children recognise, express and manage their emotions through proven strategies, fostering resilience, independence and a positive attitude toward learning and new experiences.
Language and cognitive skills — We promote early literacy, problem-solving and critical thinking through storytelling, hands-on learning and play-based activities. This helps children understand concepts, follow instructions and engage meaningfully in classroom discussions.
Communication skills and general knowledge — Effective communication is vital for expressing needs, asking questions and engaging in learning. Our school transition programs focus on enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication, encouraging children to speak confidently, listen attentively and develop a curiosity about the world around them.

A Singleton Preschool That Knows Your Child

As a local Singleton preschool, we understand the schools our children move on to and the community they’re growing up in. Our educators support children through this exact transition year after year, so they know what helps and what to expect.

Because our educators stay with the children they teach, they can speak with real familiarity about each child’s readiness – not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. That familiarity carries through into every conversation we have with families and every update we share as your child prepares for their first day of school.

Enrolment and School Fees

If you’re considering Skallywags enrolment for your child, our team is happy to talk you through how the Transition to School Programme fits into your child’s final year with us, alongside our regular room-based learning.

We can also explain current school fees, available subsidies and what to expect from the enrolment process. We don’t want any surprises before your child starts. Places in our Transition to School Programme are included as part of your child’s enrolment in Room 2 – there’s no separate sign-up required.

Learn More About Our Transition to School Programme

Get in touch with our team to find out more about the Transition to School Programme, current school fees or Skallywags enrolment. We’re happy to answer any FAQs and help you feel confident about your child’s move to primary school.

FAQs

What age group is the Transition to School Programme for?

The programme is designed for children in their final year before primary school, typically aged 4 to 5 years old in Room 2. Children take part alongside their regular Room 2 learning, so the transition to school becomes a natural extension of the routines and relationships they already know at our Singleton preschool.

What does the Transition to School Programme include?

The programme includes planned experiences to help children feel settled in a new environment, information sessions and workshops for parents and carers and ongoing learning experiences throughout the year that build the skills children need for school. This might include visits and discussions about their new school, activities that mirror a typical school routine and regular conversations between our educators and families about how each child is progressing.

What skills will my child develop before starting school?

Children work on physical readiness, social confidence, emotional maturity, early literacy and problem-solving and communication skills. We do all this through hands-on and play-based experiences with educators who know them well. Because our educators stay with the same children throughout the year, they can track each child’s progress closely and adjust activities to suit their individual pace and interests.

Will parents have the chance to be involved or ask questions?

Yes. Our transition programme is planned and reviewed together with families, and we run information sessions and workshops throughout the year so parents and carers can ask questions and stay involved. If you have questions outside of these sessions — including about school fees or how the programme fits into your child’s enrolment — our educators and office team are always happy to help.

What other early learning services does Skallywags offer?

Alongside our Transition to School Programme, Skallywags Preschool offers day-to-day learning across Room 1 and Room 2; early intervention support where needed; and a range of hands-on experiences, including our fruit and vegetable garden, community excursions and local visits. For more on school fees, subsidies or Skallywags enrolment, browse our FAQs or get in touch with our team directly — we’re happy to walk you through your options as a family in Singleton and the surrounding area.