Moving from pre-school to primary school
Moving from pre-school to primary school is a big milestone for your child. Learn more about how to prepare for this transition in your family's life.
Video
The HSE Developmental and Autism Psychology Service for Carlow/Kilkenny created this video on this topic.
To turn on closed captions (subtitles) or read the transcript: When the video starts playing, if you are on a desktop, click the "CC" icon at the bottom of the video. If you are on a mobile device, then at the top of the video, tap "CC" to enable closed captions. To disable the closed captions, tap the "CC" icon again. Watch the video on its YouTube channel to see the transcript.
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
The NCSE's local service is delivered through a national network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). All parents applying for a specialist school placement for their child, such as an autism class and/or a special school, should link in with their local SENO.
SENOs work in the following ways:
- They plan, co-ordinate and review the provision of additional education supports to schools that enrol students with special educational needs in line with Department of Education policy.
- They support parents and guardians by providing information, establishing special classes and engaging with other professionals working with your child.
- They advise and support parents around the availability of special classes, special schools and other educational supports.
- They process Transport and Assistive Technology applications and forward them to the Department of Education for sanction.
- They provide parents with advice and useful tips on transition from pre-school to school, from primary school to post primary school, and onto adult services. Click here for more information.
Notification process when seeking a place in a special school or special class
You must let the NCSE know by 1 September 2026 that you want to apply for a school place for your child for September 2027. You will use a Parents Notify form which is an online form to let the NCSE know that you are seeking a place for your child in a Special School or Special Class. Once the form is submitted, the NCSE will review your information. If the reports provided meet the criteria, you will receive an eligibility letter. This letter is required when applying for a Special Class or a Special School.
If you already have an eligibility letter, there is no need to complete the Parents Notify form again, but please contact your local SENO for an updated eligibility letter. If your child is not eligible, a SENO will contact you to discuss available options. If you are unsure whether you need to fill out the form, please contact your local SENO.
Contact information for all SENOs is shared here.
Further resources and information
- The NCSE have a video on starting primary school which is for children with additional needs
- A school social story by Enable Ireland: My new school
- The National Parents Council leaflet on Supporting your child’s transition from Pre-school to Primary School
- Down Syndrome Ireland have resources for children of primary school age
- Ambitions for Transitions – A Guide to Support Every Child’s Progression from Early Years Services to Primary School
- AsIAm have a School Transition Supports section in their Resource Library
Page last reviewed: 7 July 2026
Next review due: 7 July 2027