Critical review of research and policy on transitions to school from 2000-2024 in Cymru/Wales

Cymru/Wales comprises one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. With its own culture and language, devolution in 1999 has enabled the trajectory of an increasingly distinctive educa-tion system from that of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Since 2000 the focus of Ear-ly Years education reform in Wales has been on a bilingual play-based curriculum, the Founda-tion Phase, centred on seven areas of learning. Currently Wales is undergoing an ambitious pe-riod of education reform with implementation of Curriculum for Wales for learners aged 3-16. Based on the principles of y Cyfnod Sylfaen/the Foundation Phase and organised according to progression steps, one aim is to reduce the negative impact of transition. Recognising the im-pact of poverty upon educational attainment and the value of early intervention, a government-funded Early Years programme, Dechrau’n Deg/Flying Start, was launched in 2006 in the most deprived areas of Wales. Its aim is to promote language, cognitive, social, and emotional skills in children under 4 years of age as well as providing support for parents. While Welsh research around transitions to school is sparse, and there is little focused policy guidance, evidence sug-gests that local authorities are providing guidance to early years settings on how to support the move to compulsory schooling for children in Wales.