Top Tips for Transition

Days in EYFS
Video
Before the transition days, you could create a short video to send to the children via email or on
your chosen learning platform to introduce all the adults in the setting. You could even give the
children a quick tour!

Circle-Time
Pass a teddy bear or soft toy around a circle and encourage children to say their names and say
hello to the group. Play a variety of settling in games as a group to encourage children to learn
names, work as a group and learn about setting rules and routines. This resource has a lovely
selection of ideas for circle time games and quick games to play as a group.

Go on a Tour
Take the children on a tour of the setting. Show them where the main places they will use are, such
as cloakroom, playground, hall and toilets. You could take photos to create a display and discuss
as a group.

Photos
Take photos of the children to use for class displays, name cards, drawer or peg labels and for
front covers of learning journeys or books.

Home Visits
Use information gathered during home visits to set up activities the children will be familiar with
or enjoy, such as a train set. Transition days can also be useful for gathering information from
parents and guardians who were unable to attend visits to the setting or home visits.

Parents
Provide activities and opportunities for parents and guardians to help settle children into the
setting. Encourage parents and family members to come into the setting and help their child to put
away coats and drinks bottles etc. They can also help their child to start an activity before leaving
the setting.

Carpet Times
During carpet times, read some short picture books with the children. Singing songs and rhymes
can be useful to start and end sessions and introduce different times of the day.

Display
Encourage children to paint or create pictures to create a lovely display. They could paint two
pictures each – one to display and one to take home. Other displays could be created about the
children’s birthdays and the different areas of the setting.

Certificates
Make a certificate to celebrate the children’s first session, day or week at the setting. Photos could
be added to make them an extra special souvenir. These ‘First Day Certificates’ could be used and
completed for each child.
 Top Tips for Transition
Days in EYFS
Visual Timetable
Make a visual timetable to show different activities and parts of the day. Discuss the different
events as a group and refer back to the timetable throughout the day. This resource pack may
be useful.

Activities
Encourage children to explore the different areas of the setting and the different resources
available. Discuss different rules and routines, such as putting coats on to play outside or putting
toys away when they are finished using them. Have a range of activities available for children to
use – especially those which encourage children to work together in small groups, such as small
world toys, construction toys and jigsaw puzzles.