Tiny Tots Graduating ... what do YOU think?

kittylester that does sound lovely.

Another daft thing from USA.
Our GCs had a moving up party which was much more fun for them than dressing up as teenagers. They all got a little gift & played loads of fun games & had tea & a lovely cake. Parents & Grandparents had a good time too.

My DGS graduated from his Nursery school 5 years ago and throughly enjoyed dressing up (in cap and gown provided by the school) and having a party with all his schoolmates, not just those moving on. The leavers had to stand up and say what they'd liked best about the school - the lunches The official photo I have of that day shows him the happiest of his time there, in earlier ones he just looks bewildered.

I think the cap and gown and the term ‘ graduation’ are totally inappropriate, but the other leaving ceremonies, presentations etc are fine.
I am looking forward to my youngest grandson’ s Leavers’ Service in church next week . ( It is a church primary school.) No special clothes or certificates, but it will be special in all sorts of ways.
The leavers all had the chance to buy a hoodie with Logo, some months ago, so it helped to identify them this last year.

Do 3 year olds have any concept of time?

My DGD finished primary school yesterday. Earlier in the week they had a disco, not a prom. She did have a smart dress but nothing too fancy. I think it is nice to have some sort of event to mark an important stage of life but not too formal at that age.

Not sure if I'm breaking gransnet rules about not talking about another thread here - but here goes.
Look at the thread about Bad Teachers - it's awful to see so many posts about negative experiences women of our age had at school. I for one am very pleased at the progress, at the recognition that transitions are significant events in the lives of children. The way schools approach those transitions speaks volumes about the their approach to the children they are responsible for.

The important part is careful support for the transition process. Lots of contact between primary and secondary, opportunities to meet staff and pupils from other feeder primaries, close liaison between teachers,visits to the 'big'
school. A leaving party is just the icing on the cake but it's wrong to switch the attention away from that vital transition process and be distracted by posh frocks and 'graduations.'

I think it's fun for the little ones. They don't need to know the significance of graduating to enjoy the dressing up and getting a certificate. They must be told by a nursery worker that it's because they are leaving and going to 'big school' soon. They might even associate it with a sense of achievement, who knows?

I hope I didn't break guidelines because I mentioned this thread on that one Iam64!!

If they are linked - then why not?

I hate it. My dd signed my granddaughter up one of these things, including a fancy new dress and a dance. I'm sure the children would have much preferred a picnic in a park

Transitions count for nothing actually.

I dislike every American idea that has infected U.K. Baby showers, proms, trick or treating. Much prefer a nice British tea and cakes to say farewell. Or celebrate something new.

DGS aged 4 had photo taken at nursery. He said he had to wear ‘a hat and coat’ and I thought he was confused, but lo and behold the photo is of him wearing a gown and mortarboard and ho,ding a scroll - he gods!!!

Meant ye gods!

A bit harsh to dismiss transitions as counting for nothing. The transition from primary to secondary is of huge significance to the pupils and, properly handled means a great deal of hard work by their teachers!

No not old fashioned Julie MM? I agree with you, and find the whole idea ridiculous at this age.

It's not negative to feel that it's a bit much for 3 year olds to 'graduate' quizqueen. I agree it's a bit daft and almost certainly an import.

My daughter has just finished her first year as a TA and has organised gifts for all the children who've been in her class this year - not expensive but something that didn't happen when she and her brothers were at school! I

I suppose going to " big school" is important. It seems strange that we impose all these milestones and events on people.

We all develop and change at different rates. That seems to count for very little.

It also strikes me that not only is the idea of tots “graduating” entirely inappropriate it’s yet another reason for the parents having to eat into their holiday allowance if they are working.

More pressure on parents to find the money for these silly ceremonies.
I have worked with children who always took ' non-uniform day' off school because they were embarrassed not to have nice enough casual clothes to turn up in.
Sometimes we can be embarrassing disadvantaged children with these thoughtless 'fun' ideas. A uniform is a way to create equality.

Yes, that's another issue too.
If I had taken off every day that was expected to attend school ceremonies, assemblies, leavers disco, leavers production, sports day, bring and buy sale, open evening, parents evening et al I wouldn't have been at work more than about 4-5 days for the last month!

Ludicrous!

Am I missing something here about the “transition” in question?
Surely it’s just in a name?
My Birmingham grandchildren attended a Nursery until they went to school.
My London grandson’s nursery call it “pre-school” once the children are potty trained and they move to a different part of the building, I think he was about 2 and three quarters.

The “transition” is surely from nursery/pre- school to school is it not - so rising 5?
Could OP perhaps explain why she was asking about three year olds?

Perhaps the OP's grandson is only three Maw; one of my DGC was only four a couple of days before starting in reception.
I don't remember a ceremony before leaving pre-school though.