2.5.3
Transition Self-Assessment

Take a minute to complete the following self-assessment on helping children transition to kindergarten. Identify the components that you already have in place; which areas still need development; and what action(s) you can take today, this week, or this month to improve the transition process for children. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I established relationships with the elementary schools that the VPK children in my program will attend?
• What strategies have I created for ongoing communication with these schools?
• Have I planned a meeting between the school administrator and kindergarten teachers and my VPK staff?
• Have we shared information about our programs and discussed possible transition activities?
• Has kindergarten registration been planned, along with training for families, that will facilitate the transition process?
• Have we provided informational materials to families including information regarding school registration, transition, school readiness skills, and activities to do at home to prepare children for kindergarten?

• How have I familiarized my VPK staff with kindergarten programs?
• Have we planned an open house meeting for the VPK staff in a kindergarten classroom?
• Has the kindergarten teacher explained the daily schedule, activities, and expectations for the children?
• Have my VPK staff had opportunities to observe kindergarten classrooms and had time to talk with the teachers?

• How have I familiarized the VPK children with the expectations and routines in kindergarten programs?
• Have I scheduled a series of visits for the VPK children to the kindergarten program?
• Have I planned time for the VPK children and their families to visit kindergarten classrooms?
• Have the VPK children participated in structured activities with the kindergarten teacher?

(Note:
The information above was adapted from materials provided by staff of the Resource Connection for Kids that has been helping children transition successfully from preschool programs into kindergarten classrooms in Manatee County.)