Moving up a section

How your daughter can move up - from Rainbows to Brownies to Guides to Rangers - as she gets older

When your daughter becomes old enough, she'll be able to move up into the next section of Girlguiding.

Here's a guide to when it might happen:

  • Rainbows move up to Brownies aged 7.
  • Brownies move up to Guides aged 10.
  • Guides move up to Rangers aged 14.

How to move your daughter on

In advance of your daughter's time to move on to the next section, her current leader will be in contact with you. If you don’t hear from the leader, feel free to get in touch with them. Moving section doesn’t happen automatically, so you’ll need to decide which unit your daughter would like to go to and which would suit your schedule best. 

Each unit may operate slightly differently, but usually once you’ve decided on a new unit your leader will pass on your daughter's interest to the new unit via our online membership system. You don’t need to register your daughter’s interest again on the website to move section, as she’s already a member. 

There might not be a place for her straight away, so she may be added to the unit’s waiting list, until a space becomes available or you could ask about availability in other units. On some occasions she’ll be able to stay in the current unit for longer. When a place is available and your daughter is at the right age, she’ll be invited to visit the unit by the new leader. If she enjoys the visit, the new leader will update your daughter’s membership record to show she’s joined the unit. 

And that's it! Your daughter will be fully registered in her new section and ready to continue her guiding adventure.

If your daughter is nervous to move up

Sometimes girls find moving up a section a bit daunting. If your daughter is worried then you can plan ahead with help from her leader.

  • Ask your daughter's leader for information about local units for the next section.
  • See if her leader can arrange for your daughter to visit one of their meetings, perhaps with other girls from her unit.
  • Many Rainbows, Brownies and Guides have a party at their final meeting to get them excited to move on. Check with her leader if this could be a possibility for you daughter.

Planning ahead can also help avoid your daughter getting stuck on a possible waiting list.

Moving up to Rangers

There's a real variety of Ranger units. Some follow a structured programme, while others are more flexible and meet only once a month. It's important that your daughter finds a unit that suits her, so talk to her Guide leader to find out more about Rangers units in your area.

What girls do in the next section

Get more information about our Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger programme and what your daughter might get up to in her new section.