Transition: reception to year 1

Use these strategies and techniques to smooth pupils' experience of transition from reception to year 1, and find out how EYFS practitioners and year 1 teachers should work together.

Last reviewed on 12 May 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 6797
Contents
  1. Practitioners and year 1 teachers should work together
  2. Research on successful transition
  3. More strategies to support transition

Practitioners and year 1 teachers should work together

Together, they should make sure that a pupil’s transition is seamless. 

The final year of the EYFS should be valuable in itself and prepare the ground for year 1. 

Year 1 should build on the successful principles and approach encapsulated in the EYFS.

EYFS practitioners must give year 1 teachers a copy of the EYFS profile report 

They may also choose to provide a short commentary on each child's skills and abilities in relation to the key characteristics of effective teaching and learning. This should help to inform:

  • A dialogue between reception and year 1 teachers about each child's stage of development and learning needs
  • The planning of year 1 activities 

Year 1 teachers should also be involved in EYFS profile moderation, to help them understand the judgements made by EYFS practitioners.