10 Key Family Transition Tips - Entering into Preschool.txt

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10 KEY TRANSITION TIPS FOR FAMILIES ENTERING PRESCHOOL 

 

1. Ask your service coordinator/provider, program representative, or teacher for a copy of 
the �Step by Step Guide to Transition into Preschool� from First Steps. This can be 
obtained from a regional First Steps Point of Entry (POE) office. It includes tips, items to 
collect, and explains the steps to services with the school district. It is a wonderful 
resource for all families interested in attending a preschool program. 
2. If your child is in Parents as Teachers, First Steps, Early Head Start, or an Early Care and 
Education program, ask your teacher or contact person to help you develop a transition 
plan that could support both your child and family in preparing for the change transition 
brings. This development of a transition plan using the �Transition Conference� with 
current providers and others is very important and the local school district 
representative should always be invited. You will not know what the district has to offer 
if they are not invited and if your child is eligible for special education and related 
services, the program is always individualized for each child. For your particular child, it 
may not be the program you have heard about from �Susie�s mom�. This meeting is 
recommended to occur between the nine-month and the six-month window before 
your child turns three to allow time for activities developed on the transition plan to be 
implemented. 
3. Use the Kentucky Early Childhood Standards Parent Guides (or DVD) and select activities 
to do with your child that will support his/her growth and development. The B-3 Year 
Standards Parent Guides link directly to the Standards Parent Guides for 3-4 year olds. 
The KY EC Standards Parent Guide activities will lead to school readiness for 
kindergarten as they are linked to the school district �Program of Studies� (POS) for all 
items other than English/Language Arts and Math (which link to KY Core Academic 
Standards). If you child has good attendance in a center based program, or you make 
sure you are home for in-home service delivery, he/she will be developing along the 
�continuum� or as he/she is ready for skill development in the different areas outlined 
in each of the guides. If your child is not in a program prior to three, as a parent � you 
can obtain a copy of the appropriate KY EC Standards Parent Guide and do activities 
with your child at home to support learning plus they are practical and fun! 
4. Ask about appointments to visit community preschools early on, observe, and ask 
questions. Ask if a DVD is available of your community programs. Obtain information 
about the eligibility requirements for each program and/or special accommodations to 
meet your child�s needs. 
5. Attend any open house provided by preschool programs and join the local PTA/PTO to 
become acquainted with families who have transitioned before. 



6. After you know which preschool your child will be attending, call and ask if you can bring 
your child and camera when children are not present. Meet different people who will be 
a part of your child�s preschool environment, such as the cooks, principal, a bus driver, 
librarian, receptionist or secretary, janitor, teacher, assistant teacher, etc. Introduce 
your child and ask if you can take a picture of them and get them to write their name 
and title on a sheet of paper you have brought. Take additional pictures of the preschool 
classroom (schedule, cubbies, centers, playground, and a bus). Have the pictures 
developed; tape each picture on the sheet of paper with the name and title. Include the 
pictures of the preschool environment and tape them to sheets of paper. Staple the 
sheets to make a booklet, and title it with your child. Talk with your child often about 
the person, their role at the school, and use the classroom pictures to prepare your child 
for the sequence of activities. Remember to stress, �Work is a child�s play� so they will 
love the work they do at preschool. Let your child use the booklet to �read� to others 
about the new adventure he/she is ready. 
7. Ask how you can support the receiving teachers with immediate information to assist 
them in the development of adjustment strategies to be used the first 4-12 weeks of the 
program. 
8. Be flexible, optimistic, and develop a partnership with the school, classroom teacher 
and/or program representatives. You are the real expert on your child, so always be 
willing to share what triggers inappropriate behaviors (loud alarms, etc.), calming 
techniques that work for you, and be willing to learn new strategies they might have in 
mind to be consistent at home. 
9. Check the library for books about transition into preschool and books about change. 
Read to your child at every opportunity and create a love for reading. 
10. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR CHILD! They will only be this age once, and the relationships you 
develop with providers, teachers, principals, etc. are to be cherished and nurtured for 
future success. If you need additional supports, contact your Family Resource/Youth 
Service Center (FRYSC), a Family Resource Center (FRC), Kentucky Special Information 
Network (KY-SPIN), and other parent support groups. The www.transitiononestop.org 
or www.kentuckypartnership.org/kectp websites may be consulted for many of the 
resources mentioned in this article. Contact information is also available in the Step-by-
Step Guide and the Community Resource Guide for Families available on the above 
website. 



KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION 

 

1. Ask for a Transition Conference and develop a transition plan for your 
family and child 9-6 months prior to age three. 
2. Help implement the activities recommended. 
3. Obtain the appropriate KY EC Standards Parent Guides for activities to 
support your child�s growth and development and the Step-by-Step 
Guide for transition tips and supports. 
4. Visit your preschool options. 
5. Ask questions and contact families of children who attended a 
preschool. 
6. Provide all the information you can about your child � give a release of 
information for records transfer. 
7. Attend any opportunity for an orientation, training, etc. If you cannot 
attend school functions, ask for alternative ways to participate. Become 
a community advocate for high quality education which will benefit your 
child and others throughout their school experiences. 
8. Be flexible and optimistic. Develop partnerships with the preschool staff. 
9. Read books to your child about preschool and take him/her to visit if 
possible (or ask if they have a DVD or scrapbook to check out). 
10. Enjoy your child at each stage of his/her growth and development! Stay 
involved in your child�s education as a volunteer, PTA, meetings, etc. 
Become the expert on your child; be available for questions, check 
regularly on your child�s progress, and implement goals and activities at 
home consistently with the teachers/program.