Starting school together initiative

Schools, early years and childcare providers and families all have to help the children successfully transition to school. To achieve this in Waltham Forest, we have created ‘Starting School Together’. It consists of simple activities that children and their parents/ carers can do together to help with their learning and development.

This initiative aims to ensure:

• Children and parents/carers can adjust from home or early year’s education into primary school.
• Schools, Early Years, and Childcare providers work together to ensure smooth changes and the processes are similar across the borough.
• Families in the borough are given resources. These resources can support children to achieve a positive transition experience, and continue to thrive in primary school.

During the summer term, there is going to be information, activities and advice that parents/carers can access. These all aim to support parents/carers to help their child prepare for the next stage in learning at school.

All parents/carers can access this on Chit Chat Pitter Pat's page

The Starting School Together Challenges booklet (PDF) help families and households prepare their child to transition to school. It includes simple, fun challenges that children can do together.

The 'All About Me' transition document is for the child’s current early years organisation to share information about each child. This includes information about their personality,  family information, and their unique learning styles.

Parents and carers will be asked by their child’s current early years organisation for input in this document. They will also be asked for permission to share the information with the child’s new school. The document should be completed by end of June.

The Early Years and Childcare team organise ‘Transition Partnership Groups’ throughout the borough. These groups encourage schools and early years providers to work together to ensure smooth change for all children within Waltham Forest. There is also additional support available to schools and early years provision who have identified any children with developmental delay or SEND.

Your child may attend an early year’s organisation outside of Waltham Forest, and is due to start school in Waltham Forest. Speak to your child’s key person to discuss how they plan to support you and your child’s change to school.