If your child is at kinder this year and starting Prep (Foundation) next year, you may hear about a TLDS, or be asked to fill in part of one. It stands for Transition Learning and Development Statement, and it’s how your child’s kinder shares what it knows about your child with their new school. Here’s what a TLDS is, when it’s written, who sees it, and some ideas for the part families write.
What is a TLDS?
The Victorian Government explains that when a child moves from kinder to school, “their educator will write a Transition Learning and Development Statement (TLDS)”. It covers:
- your child’s interests
- their skills
- strategies for teaching your child
- contact details.
In other words, it’s a short picture of your child as a learner, written by someone who has spent a year with them, so their Prep teacher doesn’t have to start from scratch. As the Government’s families page puts it, “A child’s TLDS is written by early childhood educators”.
When is the TLDS written?
“The TLDS is usually written in terms 3 and 4” of the kinder year. For children starting school in 2027, the rule is firm: funded kindergartens “must complete a Transition Learning and Development Statement for all children going to primary school in 2027”, and “This must be done by the end of Term 4, 2026.”
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Terms 3 and 4, 2026 | Your child’s kinder educator writes the TLDS. Families are invited to add their part. |
| By the end of Term 4, 2026 | Funded kindergartens must have completed it, using an online tool, and teachers send it to your child’s school. |
| Thursday 28 January 2027 | Students start Term 1 at government schools. |
Last checked 17 October 2026. Our list of Victorian school term dates for 2027 has the rest of the year.
Who sees my child’s TLDS?
- The school. “Your kindergarten will give the TLDS to your child’s school or Foundation teacher.” For 2027 starters, kinder teachers send it directly to the school.
- Out-of-school-hours care. It is also shared with any out-of-school-hours care service your family uses.
- You. Families receive a copy, so you can see what your child’s new teacher will read.
The family’s part, and your child’s
A TLDS isn’t only written by the educator. The Victorian Government says families are invited to complete section 3 (“the family”) and to review the educators’ sections, and may help with section 2 (“the child”). Your child’s own section is usually a drawing and their thoughts about school.
The family section is your chance to tell the school what only you know. Here are some ideas of what you might include. They are suggestions, so write whatever feels most useful for your child:
- What your child loves. Dinosaurs, drawing, footy, a favourite book. Teachers use interests to help children settle.
- What helps when they’re worried. A cuddle toy in the bag, a few quiet minutes, a heads-up before changes.
- Who’s at home. Brothers and sisters, grandparents, pets, and the languages your family speaks.
- What they’re proud of. Learning to ride a bike, helping with dinner, writing a letter of their name.
- Anything the school should know. Allergies or health needs, big changes at home, or arrangements for drop-off and pick-up.
- Your hopes. One or two things you’d love school to bring out in your child this year.
Getting ready alongside the TLDS
The TLDS is one part of the move to school. The Victorian Government’s tips for starting school are practical and kind, and none of them ask children to read or write before they start. A few of its ten tips:
- “Practise the journey to and from school”
- “Encourage independence – skills like dressing, packing and carrying a bag, applying sunscreen and going to the toilet”
- “Label all belongings”
- “Visit a library and read with your child”
- “Start using the name of their new teacher to help build familiarity”
- “Establish predictable routines including dinner, bath time and bed time”
Our calm checklist for starting Prep goes through each area, with a summer plan of ten-minute ideas.
Starting school outside Victoria
The TLDS is a Victorian document. Other states and territories have their own ways of passing information from kinder or preschool to school, and even different names for the first year of school. If you live elsewhere, ask your child’s kinder or preschool what they share with schools. Our guide to school starting age by state shows how the first year works in each one.
Questions parents ask
What is a TLDS?
A Transition Learning and Development Statement. In Victoria, your child’s kinder educator writes it when your child moves from kinder to school. It covers their interests, skills, strategies for teaching them, and contact details.
When is the TLDS written?
Usually in Terms 3 and 4 of the kinder year. For children starting school in 2027, funded kindergartens must complete it by the end of Term 4, 2026.
Do parents get a copy of the TLDS?
Yes. Families receive a copy, and are invited to review the educators’ sections and to complete the family section.
What should I write in the family section of the TLDS?
Anything that helps the school know your child: what they love, what helps when they’re worried, who is at home and the languages you speak, what they’re proud of, and anything the school should know, such as health needs.
Who sees my child’s TLDS?
Your child’s school or Foundation teacher, any out-of-school-hours care service your family uses, and you.
Does my child do anything for the TLDS?
Your child’s section is usually a drawing and their thoughts about school. Families may help with it, so you can make it together.
Sources
- Moving from kindergarten to school, Victorian Government
- Transition to school: resources for families, Victorian Government
- Early Childhood Update, August 2026, Victorian Government
- Tips for starting school, Victorian Government
