Moving up from the Nursery to the Junior School
In the St Chris Nursery, we understand the importance of a smooth transition to primary education, ensuring your child's journey is as seamless and positive as possible. The St Chris Nursery (Monte) is filled with exciting opportunities to explore the Junior School environment, to get to know their future teachers, and prepare for the exciting journey ahead.
Top Monte children have the opportunity of early exposure to our fantastic Junior School facilities, with the Nursery located within the bright and airy Junior School building. Pupils get a taste of several different areas of the school: the music room, the Junior School Hall, the swimming pool, and our enchanting orchard, where they embark on adventures during Forest School sessions all within our nurturing and supportive environment, and the vast majority of Nursery children transition from the Monte to the Junior School.
Growing up in the Monte
In the year before children start in the Junior School, we begin working with children to ensure that they are ready for the transition to school as the year progresses.
During Top Monte, children are expected to increase their sessions from 6 to 8 by the end of the academic year as a way of helping them prepare to move into the Junior School. This gradual transition helps them feel prepared for the move to the Junior School. Over the course of the Top Monte year, children are prepared for the next stage of their learning by gradually increasing the amount of time for focused adult directed sessions. There is a growing emphasis on essential skills like phonics, reading, writing, and counting. This approach supports your child in building a strong foundation for their academic journey, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the exciting challenges that lie ahead. There is still a large amount of child-initiated learning which enables children to embed their social skills, self-confidence and continue to develop their curiosity. During the second half of the Summer term, regular transition visit are made between the Nursery and Reception. This allows the children to become familiar with the new reception environment and staff.
Junior School Transition Day
During the Summer term, Top Monte children and those entering the K Group (Reception) class are invited to come together for Junior School transition day. This day allows the blossoming of new friendships and a deeper understanding of the next chapter for both parents and children. It's an opportunity for new and returning children to start their St Chris journey together and to ease any nerves about beginning the next chapter.
There is a handover for each child from the key worker in the Nursery to the K Group team to ensure each child's journey is shared and the team are best placed to help them make a successful transition into the main school. This exchange of information guarantees that every child's unique journey so far is understood and honoured. The K Group team is well-prepared to support a seamless transition, ensuring that your child feels comfortable, valued, and confident.
Communicating with Parents
Co-ordinating a supportive network between school and home so that parents and carers and teachers work together is invaluable during this transition phase. That's why we organise an parent information session in the Autumn term of Top Monte, where we discuss the transition process and what to expect for children entering K Group and beyond. Following this, we invite parents for a tour of the Junior School, offering a refresher on our facilities and the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about starting school.
At St Chris Junior School, we're committed to nurturing your child's growth, and we look forward to making their transition into the Junior School a memorable and enriching experience. Our dedicated staff and welcoming community are here to ensure that your child's journey is filled with joy, self-discovery, and an insatiable love of learning.
