You're off to great places, today is the day! Your mountain is waiting so get on your way" Dr Seuss
What Are Transitions?
Transitions are any times when children move from one activity, room, or stage of their journey to another—like starting nursery, joining a new group, or moving on to school. At Mucky Pups, we make these changes smooth, gentle, and supportive, so every child feels safe, secure, and confident.
Minimising Transitions
At Mucky Pups, we aim to minimise transitions as much as possible, with consistent keyworkers supporting each child throughout their time with us. We are a mixed-age setting, where children can interact and learn together as one big, welcoming family.
When children and their families join us, they are assigned a keyworker and a “buddy” keyworker, ensuring that there is always a familiar adult to greet them, provide reassurance, and help them feel safe, secure, and loved. This “team” of keyworkers will remain with the family (as much as possible) throughout their time at Mucky Pups, reducing the need for major transitions at each age stage.
We understand that transitions—whether from home to nursery, between activities during the day, or onto school—can be times of anxiety for both children and families. We handle these moments sensitively and individually, recognising that each child and family is unique. While some transitions are inevitable, we are committed to making them as smooth, supportive, and positive as possible, so every child feels confident, secure, and ready for the next step in their journey.
At Mucky Pups, we aim to minimise transitions as much as possible, with consistent keyworkers supporting each child throughout their time with us. We are a mixed-age setting, where children can interact and learn together as one big, welcoming family.
When children and their families join us, they are assigned a keyworker and a “buddy” keyworker, ensuring that there is always a familiar adult to greet them, provide reassurance, and help them feel safe, secure, and loved. This “team” of keyworkers will remain with the family (as much as possible) throughout their time at Mucky Pups, reducing the need for major transitions at each age stage.
We understand that transitions—whether from home to nursery, between activities during the day, or onto school—can be times of anxiety for both children and families. We handle these moments sensitively and individually, recognising that each child and family is unique. While some transitions are inevitable, we are committed to making them as smooth, supportive, and positive as possible, so every child feels confident, secure, and ready for the next step in their journey.
Transition from Home to Nursery...
Settling In
Once your child is registered and a start date is agreed, our settling-in process begins. Every child and family is unique, so we tailor the process to your child’s needs, taking into account age, background, language, and development. Each stage lasts as long as needed for both child and parent to feel happy and confident.
Here’s what to expect:
Once your child is registered and a start date is agreed, our settling-in process begins. Every child and family is unique, so we tailor the process to your child’s needs, taking into account age, background, language, and development. Each stage lasts as long as needed for both child and parent to feel happy and confident.
Here’s what to expect:
- Around six weeks before start: Welcome email with our Information Pack, including policies, consents, and guidance for the first day.
- Shortly after: Home visit to meet your child and family in a familiar environment, helping us get to know your child and making the transition to nursery smoother.
- Around a month before start: Meet and Greet at your convenience, tour of the nursery, introduction to your child’s keyworker, and an “All About Me” discussion to share any additional needs.
- Settling-in sessions: Stay-and-play with parents, followed by sessions without parents (usually around three, but this varies depending on the child and family).
- First full sessions: Your child begins their regular sessions, supported by their keyworker and the familiar routines introduced during settling in.
Transition within the Nursery...
Daily Transitions
At Mucky Pups, our daily routine is consistent across all groups, helping children feel safe, secure, and confident. “Together Times” vary in length and content depending on each child’s age and stage, but the continuation of a predictable routine helps children know what’s coming next, building independence and confidence. The daily routine is displayed on the wall so both staff and children can refer to it, and it remains consistent throughout the weeks and months.
We prepare children for transitions with gentle signals: a 5-minute timer and the announcement “5 more minutes,” along with a visual timer or clock for a clear clue. Keyworkers use a musical instrument (specific to each group) and a picture cue to signal the start of “Together Time.” Mealtimes are signalled by a bell, with children eating alongside their family group and keyworker, providing reassurance and continuity.
Keyworker Consistency
From the start of your child’s journey with us, each family is allocated a keyworker and a “buddy” keyworker, ensuring there is always a familiar adult to support your child. This team will remain with the family throughout their time at Mucky Pups whenever possible, helping maintain emotional security and continuity in learning. If a keyworker leaves, the “buddy” ensures a consistent adult is always present to meet your child’s emotional and learning needs.
At Mucky Pups, our daily routine is consistent across all groups, helping children feel safe, secure, and confident. “Together Times” vary in length and content depending on each child’s age and stage, but the continuation of a predictable routine helps children know what’s coming next, building independence and confidence. The daily routine is displayed on the wall so both staff and children can refer to it, and it remains consistent throughout the weeks and months.
We prepare children for transitions with gentle signals: a 5-minute timer and the announcement “5 more minutes,” along with a visual timer or clock for a clear clue. Keyworkers use a musical instrument (specific to each group) and a picture cue to signal the start of “Together Time.” Mealtimes are signalled by a bell, with children eating alongside their family group and keyworker, providing reassurance and continuity.
Keyworker Consistency
From the start of your child’s journey with us, each family is allocated a keyworker and a “buddy” keyworker, ensuring there is always a familiar adult to support your child. This team will remain with the family throughout their time at Mucky Pups whenever possible, helping maintain emotional security and continuity in learning. If a keyworker leaves, the “buddy” ensures a consistent adult is always present to meet your child’s emotional and learning needs.
Transition to School...
At Mucky Pups, we take pride in helping our children become “school ready” by fostering independence, confidence, and curiosity from the very first day. We encourage children to separate confidently from their parents and carers, approach and communicate with others, and develop self-care skills such as dressing, undressing, feeding, and toileting themselves.
In the term before starting school, we support children through a variety of activities:
We maintain excellent relationships with all feeder primary schools, working closely to ensure smooth transitions. We invite reception teachers to visit the children who will attend their school and have discussions to share information about each child. If teachers are unable to attend, we always follow up with a telephone call.
Each child’s school receives a detailed report, including phonics and maths assessments, a summative end-of-year assessment, and next steps in learning, so schools are fully prepared to welcome them.
In the term before starting school, we support children through a variety of activities:
- Reading books and stories about starting school
- A “Getting Ready for School” parent meeting
- Leaflets and guidance about school readiness
- Role-play with uniforms from local schools
- Visits from reception teachers, and occasionally visits to their new school
- Discussions with new schools about each child
- Transition reports sent to every school
- Photo books for children to explore and reflect on life at nursery
We maintain excellent relationships with all feeder primary schools, working closely to ensure smooth transitions. We invite reception teachers to visit the children who will attend their school and have discussions to share information about each child. If teachers are unable to attend, we always follow up with a telephone call.
Each child’s school receives a detailed report, including phonics and maths assessments, a summative end-of-year assessment, and next steps in learning, so schools are fully prepared to welcome them.
Nursery to Nursery...
Sometimes children move between nursery for various reasons beyond our control. When this happens, we prepare the child in a similar way to when they move school at a level appropriate to the age and stage of the child.
We inform the new nursery of the development of the child and discuss them with their new nursery.
We inform the new nursery of the development of the child and discuss them with their new nursery.
School Readiness
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Applying for a school place information
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Keyworker policy
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Transition policy
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Partnership policy
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