kindergarten transition: ndis speech & behaviour toolkit

Starting kindergarten is a major milestone—exciting, emotional, and often overwhelming for children and parents. For families accessing NDIS supports, this transition is an important time to bring together speech therapy, behaviour support, and home–school routines so your child feels confident and prepared.

This toolkit gives you clear, evidence-based steps to help your child thrive socially, emotionally, and academically from day one.

Why the Kindergarten Transition Matters

The leap from early childhood education to kindergarten brings new expectations:

• Longer days and structured routines

• Following group instructions

• Social and emotional regulation

• Clear communication with teachers and peers

• Increased independence

For children with developmental delays, autism, language delays, or behavioural challenges, early and well-planned support makes a significant difference.

With NDIS-funded speech therapy and positive behaviour support, families can build a smoother, more supported pathway into school.

Speech Therapy Tools to Prepare for Kindergarten

1. Strengthening Communication Skills

Speech pathologists help children practise:

• Asking for help

• Following multi-step instructions

• Expressing needs and emotions

• Understanding routines and social expectations

2. Building Vocabulary for the Classroom

Classrooms introduce concepts like colours, shapes, feelings, sequencing words (“first, next, last”), and location words (“on, under, behind”).
Speech therapy sessions can pre-teach these so your child feels more ready and less overwhelmed.

3. Social Communication & Play Skills

Therapists support children with:

• turn-taking

• joining group play

• understanding facial expressions

• navigating peer conflict

This helps children build positive friendships early.

Behaviour Support Tools for a Successful Transition

1. Predictable Routines

Behaviour practitioners create visual schedules and routine charts to help children:

• transition between activities

• understand what comes next

• feel safe in new environments

2. School-Ready Self-Regulation Skills

This includes:

• using calming strategies

• recognising big emotions

• requesting breaks

• coping with noise and sensory load

Practitioners often use NDIS-friendly tools like visual timers, break cards, and social stories.

Working With Your Child’s Kindergarten & NDIS Team

A strong transition plan always includes communication between:

• parents

• speech pathologists

• behaviour practitioners

• teachers

• support coordinators (if applicable)

Your team can prepare a transition support plan including:

• key strengths and triggers

• communication preferences

• sensory needs

• learning strategies that work best

Create a Simple Kindergarten Transition Toolkit

Here’s what many families include:

Communication Tools

• Visual communication cards

• Emotion charts

• “How to ask for help” scripts

• Name labels and personalised visuals

Behaviour Tools

• A personalised calm-down kit

• Break cards

• Visual schedules

• Sensory tools (ear defenders, fidgets, weighted lap items)

Parent Knowledge

• Knowing your child’s behavioural triggers

• Understanding the school’s behaviour expectations

• Using shared language between home and school

This toolkit supports consistency—one of the most impactful things for children during big transitions.

Ready to Make Kindergarten a Positive Start?

A smooth school transition begins with the right guidance. At daar, our speech therapists and behaviour practitioners work together to help your child feel confident, supported, and ready to thrive.

Book your consultation now to start building your child’s personalised kindergarten transition plan.

FAQ: Kindergarten Transition, NDIS Speech Therapy & Behaviour Support

1. Does the NDIS fund school-readiness support for kindergarten?

Yes. The NDIS can fund speech therapy, behaviour support, parent training, and capacity-building activities that help your child communicate, self-regulate, and participate in learning.

2. When should we start preparing for kindergarten?

Most families start 6–12 months before school begins. Early preparation allows time to build communication skills, develop routines, and practise school-ready behaviour.

3. Will the therapist speak with my child’s new teacher?

Yes. With your consent, therapists can collaborate with teachers to ensure strategies continue at school. They may share behaviour plans, communication tools, or transition notes.

4. Can my child get a school transition plan through behaviour support?

Absolutely. Many behaviour practitioners create personalised transition plans that outline sensory needs, triggers, routines, and strategies for teachers.

5. What if my child feels overwhelmed at kindergarten?

Behaviour and speech therapists can provide ongoing support, adjusting strategies and creating new tools as your child settles in. Telehealth options are also available if in-person sessions feel too difficult during the transition phase.