Kindergarten

Starting kindergarten is a big adventure for you and your child but all the new routines and procedures can be confusing to new families. This information may help answer some frequent questions. Keep in mind that your child’s new school is there to welcome and support you along the way.  

REGISTRATION

If you have not done so already, the first step to starting school is registration.

Kindergarten registration begins the week before spring break each year.

To register your child, you will need to bring your child’s Birth Certificate, Passport, Immigration Canada document, Certificate of Citizenship or Permanent Resident Card and a government issued document that provides proof of residency.

At your child’s catchment school, you will complete the registration form, or you can register on-line here.

GRADUAL ENTRY

Several schools have a gradual entry to kindergarten. This means that your child may not start on the first day with all the classmates. Instead, your child may have gradual periods of time in the classroom that are built upon over the first days of kindergarten.  A gradual entry approach ensures that new kindergarten students feel comfortable and confident in their new classroom. This gradual entry schedule may vary from school to school.

In some schools, there is no gradual entry, so the kindergarten students attend the first day of school as a whole class.

Where needed, a gradual entry routine for any child may be accessed depending on the needs of individual children.  This personalized approach to supporting a child with the gradual and supportive entry is a decision that is made in consultation with the caregivers, school principal, kindergarten teacher, and when applicable, Northwest Child Development Center or other service provider.

You’re not alone. School staff highly value the information that you give us about your child. Please reach out to the school team to share information that may help your child transition smoothly to kindergarten. This information could include any involvement with outside services, what language is spoken at home, or unique family dynamics. All this information helps a school team best plan for your child. You are the parent; you know your child best.

If your child has some diverse abilities and/or you would like to know more about resources in the school, please contact your school.

A Typical Day in Kindergarten

• Morning routines: changing into indoor running shoes, hanging up their jacket and backpack, beginning morning circle or soft start activities, such as ‘Book Time.’
• Play-based literacy and numeracy activities
• Whole group songs, stories, poems, and dances
• Choice Time/Centers
• Outdoor play
• Snack and Lunch
• Whole class inquiries for science and social studies activities
• Visiting the school library
• Going to the school gymnasium

FAQs

WASHROOMS

The kindergarten class will have a washroom in the classroom or close to the classroom. Children should be independent with personal toileting: close the door, use the toilet, flush, and wash their hands. The routine for individual classrooms will be reviewed by the classroom teacher as we begin school.

Some children may not be independent with toileting for various reasons – medical condition, etc. If your child is not yet independent with their toileting abilities, please be sure to inform the school prior to school entry so that we can ensure support is provided.

RECESS BREAK

• Once a day your child will go outside for recess. This may include the playground and the field.
• There is supervision for all students during recess. Supervisors may wear a safety vest, so they are easily identified.

SHOES, BACKPACKS, LUNCH MATERIALS

• Please send a pair of non-skid Velcro runners or good fitting slip on shoes to be worn inside in the school.
• Choose a backpack that is the right size for your child – too large makes it hard to carry; too small makes it difficult for them to pack up and manage their belongings. Possible items that go back and forth between school and home are a lunch kit, a library book, and a Back-and-Forth folder.
• Select lunch kits and containers that your child can easily open and close. Practice using them and putting them back into the kit.
• Provide a change of clothes labeled with your child’s name in a bag.
• Dress for play. In kindergarten, we are active and often get messy with paint, playdough, markers, mud and more.

BUSSING

• If your child resides outside of the walking limits from your catchment school, your child may be able to ride the school bus to and from school.
• You will need to contact the Transportation Department to register your child for the bus.
• Transportation Contact Information