Transitions That Most Children And Young People Experience

Transitions that most children and young people experience

Transition
Age
Reason
Being cared for by someone other than a parent
0 – 2
Many children will be left by parents with relatives and friends for short periods of time. Some babies and toddlers may also go to a childminder or day nursery as their parents work.
Joining a nursery or pre – school
2 – 3
Many children’s first experience of being in group care is at around 2 years as they start in a pre – school or nursery.
Going into a reception class
4 – 5
Most children will attend a reception class between the ages of 4 – 5
Moving from one class to another
4 – 11
At the end of each school year, most children will change teacher as they change class.
Attending breakfast club, after school provision and holiday play schemes
4 +
Some children once they are at school will have an extended day, perhaps going to a breakfast club before going onto school and after school going to a childminder or an after school club; in addition, many children will attend holiday play schemes.
Starting secondary school
11
Most children at 11 will transfer to a secondary school, which is often much larger than their primary school; they may also be taught by a range of different teachers for the first time.
Going through puberty
11 +
At around 11 for girls and 13 years for boys, children develop into adults – a process known as puberty; during this time, the young people have to adapt to the changes in size and shape of their body.
Starting a new college or employment
16 +
Most young people will move into the sixth form, start at a college or begin employment, so they need to make new friendships and adapt to new expectations.