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Moving on to “Big School”: How Orchidale Support Your Child’s Next Big Step


At Orchidale, we know that the transition to primary school is a huge milestone—not just for the children, but for you as parents, too. We pride ourselves on making sure this move is as smooth and positive as possible. For us, that process kicks into gear well before the moment those school placements land on offer day.


Building Bridges with New Schools

Once we know where our school leavers are headed, we get to work building those vital links with their new settings. We love welcoming teachers into our nursery; there is nothing quite like a new teacher seeing a child in their "natural habitat," where they feel confident and settled.


If a teacher can’t make it in person, we don’t let that stop us. We arrange dedicated "handover" calls between the child’s new teacher and their Orchidale Key Person. These conversations are so important—it’s our chance to share the little details that a form can’t capture: how a child learns best, what makes them light up, and where they might need a little extra hug or a bit of encouragement in those first few weeks.


Bringing School into the Nursery

To help take the "mystery" out of the move, we bring elements of school into our daily play:

  • The STAIR Record: Every leaver has a personalised Supporting Transition and Inclusion Record completed. This gives their new teacher a real insight into their personality and progress before they even walk through the classroom door.

  • Visual Familiarity: We ask schools for photos of their classrooms and staff. We share these with the children so that the faces and spaces already feel familiar.

  • The Uniform Station: Our role-play area gets a "Big School" makeover with a variety of local school uniforms. It’s lovely to watch the children explore the different colours and textures through play, making the idea of "the blazer" or "the jumper" feel normal and exciting rather than daunting.


The Orchidale Way: Confidence and Independence

"School Readiness" at Orchidale isn't about sitting still at a desk; it’s about nurturing a child’s natural curiosity.


Our pre-schoolers benefit from dedicated sessions with Shannon, our qualified Early Years Teacher. She leads brilliant phonics and literacy activities that are entirely play-based, so the children are learning the building blocks of reading without even realising it.


We also believe that confidence comes from being trusted. You’ll often find our children in Woodwork Club, where they take safe risks using real tools—including power drills! This isn't just about making something out of wood; it’s about focus, coordination, and the "I can do it" attitude that is so essential for school.


Whether they are learning about responsibility in our Gardening and Rewilding projects or heading out on a Minibus Adventure to explore the local community, we are constantly working to ensure our children are social, resilient, and ready to fly.



Keeping the Dialogue Open

We also take the logistics seriously. We look closely at friendship groups to help children feel a sense of continuity, and we stay in constant contact with local schools to ensure our transition stays detailed and up-to-date.


We are so proud of our leavers and, while we’ll be sad to see them go, we know they are leaving us with the confidence they need to take that next big step.


Jess & the Orchidale Team


Helpful Links for Supporting Your Child’s Transition to School

Transitioning to school is a big step, and having the right guidance can make all the difference. Below are some trusted resources that offer practical tips, activity ideas, and expert advice to help you support your child as they prepare for their next adventure.




About Us:

Orchidale Children's Nursery is based in a fantastic converted bungalow building in Taverham, 15 minutes from Norwich with childcare places for 2 months-5 year olds. We can offer your child fabulous fun filled days of activities to help children learn and make lots of new friends. We have a fabulous outdoor space with so many area's of learning. Including a separate 0-2's garden, forest school space, large lawn for the children to run around on and so much more! Please come and see us, our beautiful learning area's and our magical garden. If you are searching for a Day Nursery in Norwich, Norfolk then we are the Children's Nursery that goes the extra mile for you and your children. Visit the Orchidale Nursery website at: www.orchidale.co.uk



 
 
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