Keep an Eye Out for Transition Learning and Development Statements

Starting school is a big step for you and your child. It can be both challenging and exciting. As families, the support you give your child to start school is vital because you are your child’s first and most important educator.

Children begin their schooling with different early childhood experiences – your child may start school after having attended kindergarten or child care, or they may not have attended any formal prior-to-school service.

But no matter what early childhood education they’ve experienced, every child will have developed a unique range of skills and abilities by the time they first enter the classroom.

Through the Transition: A Positive Start to School initiative, in an Australian first, the Department has introduced Transition Learning and Development Statements for Victorian children transitioning into their first year of school.

The statements will be prepared by each child’s early childhood educator for every family and new school on their learning and development, including their abilities, achievements and interests.

The statements will help Prep teachers get a better understanding of the children coming into their classes in the year before they do so. This information will be used to effectively plan transition and class activities, keeping in mind the needs of individual children.

For children with disabilities and additional needs, the Sharing Our Journey initiative will be extended to support their transition to kindergarten as well as to primary school.

Transition: A Positive Start to School initiative was launched on 6 August 2009.

For more information, see: Starting School