ELC to Primary 1

Starting school is a big step for children. There are many new experiences, new people to meet and new routines to adjust to. Every child will cope with these experiences in a different way but with patience and understanding we are certain that your child will soon feel safe and secure in their new environment.

We wish to make the transition from nursery to primary school as smooth and enjoyable as possible for your child and yourself. We would like to have a strong partnership between home and school so if you have any worries or concerns please get in touch with us.

Our transition programme includes a number of elements;

• Information Session (A session led by SLT for parents to about Bonnyrigg Primary, school routines and learning in P1)

• Play Dates (Three 'stay and play' sessions where your child can come into our classroom spaces and play alongside current P1 pupils)

• Meet Your Buddy (Children are invited to meet their Buddy.  Buddies are P7 pupils when children are in P1

• Lunch Trail (Children and a parent are invited to our dining room to enjoy a lunch together)

• Meet your teacher (Children are invited to meet their new teacher (where possible) in school)

• Curriculum Meet (A session led by our P1 team for parents to explain what the curriculum looks like, and how you can help at home)

• Coffee and Chats (Informal opportunities to come in and chat to members of the team)

• Midmouse (Children are gifted a small knitted mouse as a transition object.  Children often bring these to P1 and become quite attached to their wee furry friend!)

Some Feedback from our grown ups!

My daughter talks about her buddy daily and I feel this really helped her settle into P1.

My oldest child in P3 still talks about her P7 buddy and often spoke to them when they saw each other at pick up/drop off.  Definitely think it's good for them to have an older child 'look out' for them as they make the move to P1.

She enjoyed meeting her buddy.  She mentions her buddy speaking with her at break and lunch also which is nice to hear.

The lunch trail made the experience less scary for her.  

She enjoyed this (play date) and got to see her P1 class.

Meet the teacher was one of the most useful things school has done in terms of transition as ELC kids in particular are so used to certain adults being part of their day (some of them from 2 years) that a new adult is perhaps daunting.

The teachers did a great job presenting the curriculum meeting.

I found the information session to learn how the school routines work useful and I was able to chat to my child before she started school to inform her of what was expected of her.