--- title: From kindergarten to school description: As your child nears the leap from kindergarten into school, here are ways you can actively support them during the upcoming holiday break. image: https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-4%20West%20Maddingley%200324%20(70)%20cropped-1.jpg --- ![ECMS_Logo_Teal_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/EMCS%20Logos/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About About Overview [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) (03) 8481 1100 [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) ###### Share on [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/from-kindergarten-to-school) [Follow us on LinkedIn](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/from-kindergarten-to-school) [Follow us on Twitter](mailto:?subject=ECMS&body=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/from-kindergarten-to-school) [Home](https://www.ecms.org.au/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) From kindergarten to school # From kindergarten to school #### Preparing for the exciting shift Nov 20, 2025, 10:00:00 AM By Damian Cowell Share As your child nears the leap from kindergarten into school, it’s a moment full of promise — and it’s one you can actively support during the upcoming holiday break. At ECMS, we believe this transition is not just about new routines and classrooms; it’s about deepening belonging, growing confidence and supporting your child’s whole world of learning. Build familiarity and routine Over the holidays, you can gently introduce your child to the rhythm of a school day. Talk with them about where they’ll go, what time they’ll get up, how they’ll travel, what their lunch box might look like. The Department of Education [Starting Blocks](https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/resources/how-to-support-your-child-through-early-childhood-education-and-care/transition-to-school?utm_source=chatgpt.com) website reminds us that “talking positively and confidently about starting school” is one of the most helpful steps you can take. Show them the classroom, play on the school grounds, try on the school uniform or bag. The more comfortable the environment feels, the smoother the transition. Strengthen independence and self-help skills School asks new things of children: managing belongings, understanding lunch boxes, being confident about using toilets, listening in a bigger group, and gradually learning new routines. These are not “extra” but natural parts of the transition. The [Transition factsheet](https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/professionals/learning/translations/English-information-sheet-transition-to-school.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com) emphasises children’s sense of security and connectedness with their new setting. Use the holidays to practice: opening and closing lunchbox lids, selecting their bag, practising saying goodbye, and returning. These small wins build confidence ahead of their “big first day”. Nurture their social and emotional readiness Starting school invites lots of change — new friends, new teachers, new expectations. In our blog [Childcare means early learning](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/cildcare-means-early-learning) we emphasise relational pedagogy: “Every moment, every discovery in play … supports your child’s development across all domains, builds confidence and creates joy in discovery.” Encourage your child to talk about how they feel, what they’re excited about, and what they’re a little bit unsure of. Listening carefully, validating, and problem solving together helps them know you’re in this journey alongside them. Stay curious together about their learning Your child will arrive at school already as a capable thinker, creator and communicator. The Department’s resource kit [“Transition: A Positive Start to School Resource Kit”](https://www.vic.gov.au/transition-school-resource-kit?utm_source=chatgpt.com) invites families to see transition as a continuity of learning, not a one-off event. Over the holidays, keep the curiosity alive: read together, experiment with words, scribble, ask “how might we work this out” or “what happens if we try that”. It doesn’t need to be formal either - play, connection, conversation and exploration count most. Connect with school, educators and other families The end of the year is a great time to engage in school orientation visits (you may have had these already!), meet teachers if possible, and attend any welcome events. Positive relationships between families, teachers and children are a platform for effective transitions to school. Explain to your child that school is a place where you’ll be part of their team, and you’ll continue to partner with their teachers. Being visible, interested and engaged helps children feel supported and secure. Keep the focus on belonging and excitement While there’s a practical dimension to preparing for school, there’s also a deeply relational one. Use the holidays to celebrate this milestone: share stories of what your child is excited about, revisit memories of kindergarten, and explore new possibilities ahead. A positive mindset helps your child see school as an exciting community to join rather than a scary unknown. Starting school is a journey. It’s about stepping into a new place while carrying forward all the wonder, relationships and learning that have already been part of your child’s kindergarten life. As you walk into the holidays, you can hold three simple intentions: familiarity, connection and exploration. With these, you’ll be continuing a foundation of confidence, belonging and readiness. ## Read On [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/11.png?width=352&name=11.png)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/reflections-connections-and-chai) ### [Reflections, connections and Chai](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/reflections-connections-and-chai)   If you visit The Merrell kindergarten on a Friday, chances are you’ll be invited to share a cup of... [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Banner%20Images%20(1).png?width=352&name=Website%20Banner%20Images%20(1).png)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/spring-holiday-activities) ### [Spring holiday activities](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/spring-holiday-activities) 1.Start a veggie patch with your child to engage their senses, help them learn about healthy... [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5984-1.jpg?width=352&name=IMG_5984-1.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/sensory-play-ideas) ### [Sensory Play Ideas](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/sensory-play-ideas) From birth, a child’s brain develops at an extraordinary speed. By the time the average child... Quick links [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [About Us](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) Resources [Childcare resources](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare-resources/) [Kindergarten resources](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten-resources/) [ECMS Policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) General Enquiries [Contact us now](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) (03) 8481 1100 Enrolments (03) 8481 1117 Support office 192 High Street (PO Box 182)
Northcote VIC 3070 ![ECMS_Logo_Teal_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Privacy Policy](https://www.ecms.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Privacy-Policy.pdf) © Copyright 2024 ECMS ABN: 13 012 989 761 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ecmschildren) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-childhood-management-services/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/ecms_childhood/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Damian Cowell", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/author/damian-cowell" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-19T23:00:00.136Z", "datePublished" : "2025-11-19T23:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "From kindergarten to school", "image" : [ "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-4%20West%20Maddingley%200324%20(70)%20cropped-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/from-kindergarten-to-school", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/Primary_Logo_Teal_Sml.jpg" }, "name" : "ECMS" } } ```