Developing a Transition to Primary School Programme for Government ECD Centres in Ogun State

The absence of structured transition support programmes between government ECD centres and primary schools in Ogun State leads to disrupted learning trajectories for children entering formal schooling, and a professionally designed programme addresses this gap in South West Nigeria. This study developed a transition to primary school programme for government ECD centres in Remo North, Ifo, and Ewekoro Local Government Areas, Ogun State. A professional programme design methodology was applied, incorporating structured consultations with 20 ECD teachers, 15 primary year one teachers, 10 LGA education supervisors, and 8 transition readiness specialists. Assessment of current practice confirmed that preparation for primary school was limited to verbal information to parents in 80 percent of ECD centres and that primary one teachers reported that most incoming children were unprepared for the school environment. The programme designed comprises three components: a 10-week kindergarten transition curriculum for the final term of ECD, a joint activity day connecting ECD and primary one classes, and a parent preparation workshop series. Transition readiness assessment tools and a child portfolio system enabling communication across settings are included. Expert review by 10 specialists confirmed the programme's developmental appropriateness. Recommendations include Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board piloting the programme in 30 government ECD centres, joint ECD-primary one teacher professional learning communities, and evaluation of primary school performance at 6-month follow-up for pilot participants.

Keywords: school transition programme, ECD to primary school, Ogun State, transition readiness, early childhood curriculum