Children join Transition in the September following their third birthday and remain in this class until the following September, when they move up to Reception which is situated in the Stable Yard with the Pre-Prep classes.
As in the Kindergarten, staff work closely with families in order to provide the best possible education and care for each child, building up a relationship and attending to each child’s individual needs.
The Learning Environment
Transition is housed within the walled area of the Nursery and comprises of four separate rooms, a cloakroom and an outdoor play area. Children are allocated a Key Worker and a classroom which becomes their base for their time in Transition. Within each classroom there are areas for role play, looking at books, developmental writing, jigsaws, construction, painting and collage, a theme-related interest table, a maths table and many resources which support the children’s learning.
As the children develop and grow, the balance between child initiated and teacher initiated activities gradually slides towards the latter so that the children are constantly progressing and being challenged within a stimulating learning environment. A topic-based, experiential learning programme is delivered and through constant observation and knowledge of each child in their care the staff are able to allow for individual interests to develop.
The children follow the same timetable as Kindergarten with the addition of French with Hatherop Castle’s Head of Modern Foreign Languages, a gym session with the Director of Sport and music with Head of Pre-Prep, Miss Gore Browne.
A trip is planned to take place during the Trinity Term and this might be to visit a local farm or Wildlife Park in accordance with the topic the children are covering. Parents are often asked if they would like to help on these occasions.
Transition to Reception
On a Thursday morning, Transition children have a session in the Reception classroom with the Reception staff. Parents drop their children off in the Stable Yard, enabling both parent and child to see the pre-prep in action in preparation for their possible entry into the pre-prep the following September.