What would be the best way to help 5yr old change schools?

[twinklingfairy]

DH job might be moving us 100 miles south.
Reasonably happy about it except for the fact that I was moved at this age and it really shook, well broke in fact, my confidence.
DD is in Primary 1 with the children she was in Playgroup and then Nursery with.
I think on her as being quite shy but the teacher tells me she is a popular little thing and not afraid, at all, to speak out. I was so proud when I heard that

But, moving her now??
The move could be very quick. We may even have moved by the easter hols, if things can be organised that fast.
Would that be better than, what I had imagined, moving during the summer hols ready to start P2 fresh.
The only down side would be that she wouldn't know a soul and it is all brand new for all of them.
Or is it better to move mid term so that she just slips in and pos makes a few friends that we can try to get together with during the hols?

I am sure there is no 'best' way or 'right' way. But any stories of how you did it and/or woudl do it, are all welcome.

Due to the nature of my DH's job we moved many times when my DC were this age. The main thing is to be positive about the experience, don't let her hear you chatting about it when you think she can't hear!
Stress:
-The excitement of new friends, people just waiting to be her friend at the new school (I know that sounds corny but DCs can't imagine often what moving actually means.),

• a new school uniform
• maybe being able to join Rainbows or something similar at the new location (as long as it is viable).

-plus we always had a small moving present that appeared on the van. Good luck

we moved last year - when my DS was 5 - we moved in june - so he had the last half term of the year - that worked well - he would have been worrying about the new school all holidays - is she nearly 6 or just 5 - as if she is just 5 that would be last part of reception which in england is more relaxed than Y1 - not sure how P1 etc maps on it. We did a visit to the school before he started- got the uniform and the school was really used to children starting in the middle of the year so they managed it pretty well. He was fine with the move - obviusly sad to be leaving his friends but settled well and is happy. Postive is the way to go and not telling them too far in advance.

We've moved about quite a bit too. My tips are have something new as part of the process of getting there, a chance for them to choose how their new bedroom is decorated, make sure their stuff can be unpacked quickly, tell them you are looking forward to it even if you might be acting a bit stressed, stress the positives, and remind them that you will keep in touch with certain old friends / will be coming back to see family if they are in your current area. Combination of reminding of the positives plus the fact that they will be able to continue doing x y or z even if they have moved.

Either way I think she'll be fine. There is another thread on here about this, and someone said that they put their child into summer term for all of 4 weeks so they got to know people. Others said they'd wait. So is no right or wrong way of doing it as long as you stay sane with the moving hassle.