Most children starting primary school in Australia do so after attending early childhood education and participating in a transition to school programme. While this has become the expected pathway, it is not the one followed by all children and their families. In this article, we describe visible transitions as those that are known, understood and…

Much of the current debate about children's transition to school focuses on children's readiness for school. Indeed, Boethel (2004, p. 17) describes transition as the "focal point of readiness." Typically, this focus extends to considering children's competencies--particularly their skills and abilities--at the time of starting school.…

Draws on findings from case studies and interviews with children, parents, and early childhood educators to highlight several issues relevant to children's transition to school within the context of Australia's Starting School Research Project. Illustrates the cultural diversity of school children and the initiatives that respond to particular…