New rooms, new routines: planning children’s transitions for 2027

Educators preparing for new enrolments and room changes in 2027 may like to use the Queensland Department of Education’s ECEC transitions planner to organise their approach. The 12-page resource includes a reflection tool, planning strategies and a transition action plan.

The planner covers birth to Year 2, including transitions into early learning, between rooms and into school and outside school hours care (OSHC). It is designed for educators and leaders across early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings.

Teams can begin by reviewing current practices, identifying priorities and developing a plan before putting strategies into action and evaluating them along with families, educators and children. Suggested approaches include gradual visits, flexible settling-in arrangements and conversations with families about children’s routines and preferences. 

Turning transition priorities into a plan

The action plan provides space to record strategies, dates, staff responsibilities, resources and measures of success. Teams can use the resources to plan and document preparations ready for 2027 and schedule reviews as children settle into their new environments.

The planner also includes prompts for individual transition planning where children and families require a more personalised approach. Its suggestions can be adapted to local and individual circumstances and are not a compulsory checklist. 

The resource forms part of the Positive transitions: early years toolkit, which supports collaboration between families, community services, ECEC services and schools. 

Download the ECEC transitions planner here.