Transition for Children in the Early Years

The information on this page tells you where you can find information about support available at times of transition. For children in the early years, ‘transition’ is a term used to describe periods of change such as:

* a child starting an early years setting

* a child moving from one area of an early years setting to another, e.g. going from the baby room to the toddler room etc.

* a child moving between activities in the day, e.g. from a free choice play activity to a supervised lunchtime.

* a child moving from one early years setting to another early years setting or to school.

This can be a particularly distressing time for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their parents.

Any anxiety for the family can be greatly reduced and improve the child’s experience of transition if planned carefully.

The local offer for the Area Inclusion Co ordinator Service (on the right of this page) outlines what support there is for children at times of transition in the Early Years.