Supported Transitions from ECE to primary school

Whakatakotohia te whāriki mā te tamaiti kia ora ai

Lay down the mat (whāriki of support, knowledge, nourishment, guidance) so the child can flourish

Our Supported Transitions Group has been meeting since the beginning of 2023, with an initial focus on the transition from ECE to school. Our work will expand to the other key transitions of primary to intermediate and intermediate to high school in 2024. 

This page is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for those involved in supporting children with additional needs to transition from ECE to school. 

What is a supported transition? Our group has identified three possible pathways for support when transitioning to school - shown in the infographic below. 

Transition 1 - Supported transitions managed by ECE, whānau and school

Transition 2 - RTLB and EIT supported transitions from ECE to primary school

Our Kāhui Ako schools work with either of two RTLB clusters - Auckland West RTLB Service, or Tuawhiti o Akarana. Click on the image below to be taken to an information sheet containing all you need to make a referral for an RTLB supported transition from ECE to primary school. 

Cluster 6 & 7 EIT transitions

Transition type 3 - ORRs funded and graduated transitions

Research and supporting documentation about supported transitions

Thank you to Catherine Lightfoot, Ministry of Education Service Manager, for these links.