Transitioning from Playgroup to Kindergarten

For many families at Mulberry House, the transition from our playgroup programme to kindergarten is the first significant educational transition their child will experience. Done well, it sets a positive template for all the transitions to come. At Mulberry House International Kindergarten, we have developed a thoughtful transition programme that supports both children and families.

Understanding the Transition Challenge

The transition from playgroup to kindergarten involves several changes happening simultaneously: a new classroom, new peers, a new teacher, longer days, and greater expectations for independence. For a two or three-year-old, this is a lot to manage at once. Our job is to scaffold this transition so that change feels manageable and exciting rather than overwhelming.

Building Familiarity and Continuity Before Day One

We start building familiarity well before the official transition. In the final weeks of the playgroup year, children who are moving up to kindergarten have opportunities to visit their new classroom, meet their new teacher, and spend short periods of time in the kindergarten environment. These visits are designed to be warm and playful — a snack together, a story, a small exploration of the new space. By the time the new school year begins, the classroom feels like a place they already know.

We also plan carefully for continuity of relationships. Where possible, we ensure that children who were friends in playgroup transition to kindergarten together, or at least have time to reconnect in the new setting. Familiar peers are powerful anchors during transitions.

Individualized Handovers and Family Collaboration

Our kindergarten teachers receive detailed handover notes from playgroup teachers about each child — their interests, their communication style, what comforts them, what excites them, what might challenge them. This means that from the very first day of kindergarten, the teacher already knows your child as an individual, not just as a new student.

We also hold parent information sessions ahead of the transition, so families understand what to expect, how to prepare their child at home, and what the first weeks of kindergarten will look like. At Mulberry House, transitions are a team effort — and we are proud of how smoothly our children move from one stage to the next.

Contact us on WhatsApp at Tai Po Campus 5598 0909/Southside Campus 5598 0555/Central Campus 5598 0509 or fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!