Will this help with the morning drop-off period specifically?

Yes, arrival transitions are covered specifically, including strategies for children who find separation from parents difficult at drop-off.

We have a large room with many children — will these strategies still work?

Yes, the staggered-transition method covered is specifically designed to reduce the queuing and waiting that becomes more difficult in larger groups.

Does this pair well with the Sensory Processing workshop?

Very well, as sensory overload is one of the most common reasons transitions become difficult, and the two sessions complement each other.

What about transitions between settings, like moving up to a new room?

The session focuses mainly on within-day transitions, though many of the same predictability and preparation principles apply to bigger moves like room changes.

Is this suitable for baby rooms where routines are more fluid?

Yes, with adapted examples — predictability still matters for babies, even where routines are more individualised than in preschool rooms.

For early years educators

Supporting Transitions Throughout the Day

From arrival to home time, a young child's day is full of transitions — and each one is a potential flashpoint. This workshop looks at why transitions are hard for young children and gives educators practical tools, from visual timers to transition songs, to make moving between activities calmer for everyone.

Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.

See dates & book Request this as a private session

Who this is for

For educators and room leaders looking to reduce daily friction around arrivals, changeovers, mealtimes and home time.

What we cover in the hour

Why transitions are developmentally difficult for young children.
Using visual timers and countdown warnings effectively.
Transition songs, routines and rituals that signal what comes next.
Staggering group transitions to reduce queuing and waiting.
Supporting individual children who find specific transitions especially hard.
Handling unavoidable, unexpected transitions calmly.

What you'll leave with

A visual timer and countdown system ready to use tomorrow.
A bank of transition songs and rituals.
A staggered-transition planning method for your room size.
An individual support plan template for a child who struggles with transitions.
A calm-response approach for unplanned changes to routine.

Inside the booklet

The booklet includes the visual timer templates, a transition song list and the individual support plan template.

This workshop is grounded in the Aistear theme of Wellbeing and supports Síolta Standard 2, Environments, by considering how the structure of the day itself affects children's sense of security.

How it can be delivered

Delivery formats and prices for Supporting Transitions Throughout the Day
Format	Price
Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed	€20 per person
Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand	€35 per person
Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135)	from €25
Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5	€35 per person
Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6	€45 per person

No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.

Common questions

Will this help with the morning drop-off period specifically?: Yes, arrival transitions are covered specifically, including strategies for children who find separation from parents difficult at drop-off.
We have a large room with many children — will these strategies still work?: Yes, the staggered-transition method covered is specifically designed to reduce the queuing and waiting that becomes more difficult in larger groups.
Does this pair well with the Sensory Processing workshop?: Very well, as sensory overload is one of the most common reasons transitions become difficult, and the two sessions complement each other.
What about transitions between settings, like moving up to a new room?: The session focuses mainly on within-day transitions, though many of the same predictability and preparation principles apply to bigger moves like room changes.
Is this suitable for baby rooms where routines are more fluid?: Yes, with adapted examples — predictability still matters for babies, even where routines are more individualised than in preschool rooms.

Related workshops

More in this theme: Curriculum planning · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates

Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.

Trusted early years resources

Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.

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