Starting Reception is a special milestone, and at St John’s we make sure every child’s move into school life is filled with excitement, care and confidence. Because our Nursery and Reception children learn together in Ruby Class, many children already know the routines, staff and environment, which makes this step feel natural and familiar. We see this as a huge benefit for children who have attended our Nursery, as they begin Reception with strong relationships, secure routines and a confident understanding of school life.

For this reason, we encourage families to consider our Nursery as the first step of their St John’s journey. It provides children with valuable time to grow, settle and flourish in an environment that nurtures independence, curiosity and a love of learning.

For children joining St John’s for the first time, our transition process is gentle, supportive and designed around each child’s needs. During the summer term, families are invited to a welcome meeting where they can meet staff, explore the classroom and ask questions. We also hold stay-and-play sessions so that children can begin forming early friendships and start to see Ruby Class as their own.

In September, we operate a carefully planned staggered start, allowing children to build confidence gradually. Staff take time to get to know each child, helping them to settle into school routines, learn new expectations and develop independence at a comfortable pace. 

Although we follow a general transition timetable, we understand that every child is unique. Our approach is flexible and responsive, ensuring that each child’s emotional wellbeing comes first. By the end of the first few weeks, children feel part of the St John’s family and are happy, secure and ready to embrace the adventures of Reception.