The Full Day Kindergarten: Registration and Accommodation procedure outlines the process for kindergarten registration and accommodation of students when enrolment exceeds the ability to accommodate all students.
The Kindergarten Supported Entry and Extended Day procedure addresses the first two days of transition to Year 1 Kindergarten. This procedure is supported by the Supported Entry to Kindergarten Questions and Answers document.
With full implementation of the Full-Day Kindergarten program in York Region District School Board locations as of September 2014, the procedures have been revised to reflect this singular kindergarten model.
Revisions to the Kindergarten Supported Entry and Extended Day procedure have removed all models that were used for alternate day and half day kindergarten, since all classes are Full Day Kindergarten as of September 2014.
Clarification regarding kindergarten programs and French Immersion schools has also been added to the Application of Procedure section.
The responsibilities of principals to manage the registration and accommodation process for kindergarten have been clarified. Steps for assigning students to overflow sites are outlined to ensure clarify and consistency across the Board.
On this page:
- Board Procedure #NP109.0 Full Day Kindergarten: Registration and Accommodation
- Board Procedure #NP109.1 Kindergarten Supported Entry and Extended Day
Stakeholder Groups with Responsibilities Under this Procedure
- Director of Education
- Superintendents of Schools
- Principals
- Student Services Coordinators
- Planning Services
- Kindergarten Teachers and Designated Early Childhood Educators
- Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Relationship to Board priorities
This procedure supports the Board priority of delivering effective and sustainable educational programs and demonstrating professionalism and accountability for high standards of practice in all Board operations.
Revisions to the Kindergarten Supported Entry and Extended Day procedure removed all models that were used for alternate day and half day Kindergarten, since all classes are Full Day Kindergarten as of September 2014.
Providing Feedback
Questions about this policy and/or procedure should be raised with your principal, manager or supervisor. If additional clarification is required, principals, managers and supervisors may contact the lead superintendent and/or subject matter expert and Trustee Services.
In accordance with Board Policy 285.0, Board Policies, Procedures and Supporting Documents, the Board welcomes all comments and suggestions on Board policy.
Input is an important component of the review process. If you feel a policy and/or procedure needs to be revised, feedback may be submitted through the school council or by submitting the online form. In your response please:
- outline clearly the specific section(s) of the policy and/or procedure in which you are not comfortable,
- suggest specific alternate wording to reflect your position, and
- identify the reason(s) for your concern(s).
Specific recommendations or questions about the review process should be submitted using the online form or sent to the Policy Officers via email at policy.committee@yrdsb.ca, or via telephone at 905-727-0022 extension 2570 or in hard copy at The Education Centre – Aurora.
It is the expectation of the York Region District School Board that all employees, students, and persons invited to or visiting Board property, or partaking/volunteering in Board or school-sponsored events and activities, will respect the policies and procedures of the Board.
Board Procedure #NP109.0, Full Day Kindergarten: Registration and Accommodation
1. Procedure Statement
This procedure outlines the steps and timelines for registering students for kindergarten.
2. Application
This procedure applies to all schools offering the Full Day Kindergarten Program. The Full Day Kindergarten program is not available in single-track French Immersion schools.
2.1 Registration and Accommodation Process
This procedure applies to all schools offering the Kindergarten Program. The Kindergarten program is not available in single-track French Immersion schools.
2.1.1 When registering students, principals or school office staff shall:
- date stamp and number all completed kindergarten registrations in order of receipt from the first day of registration; and
- compile a numbered list of completed registrations as they are submitted.
2.1.2 When considering accommodation of students, principals shall, in the following order:
- organize kindergarten classes as required by the collective agreement and Ministry Guidelines;
- consult with the superintendent of schools, where numbers exceed the ability to accommodate students but do not warrant the creation of an additional class, to consider the following options;
- start a waiting list; and
- add staff support to permit the class size for enrolment to be exceeded only when the space is adequate and local circumstances would permit;
- refer to the date stamped and numbered completed registrations to determine when kindergarten enrollment exceeds to the ability to accommodate all children registered, keeping in mind an appropriate balance of Year 1 and Year 2 kindergarten students;
- when all children cannot be accommodated, the Board may provide accommodations for some students by applying in sequence the following measures;
- where registrations for the following September are received on or after March 15,
- seek parents/guardians who will volunteer to have their children enroll in another school;
- select students, who do not have siblings in this school for the current school year and who would be bused to the school servicing their attendance area, to be bused to another school;
- select students, who do not have siblings in the school and who reside nearest to and within safe walking distance of another school, to attend that school;
- select students, who do not have siblings in the school and who reside farthest from the school that serves their attendance area, to be bused to another school;
- select those students who were last registered to attend another school;
- where registrations for the following September are received on or after March 15, select those students who were last registered to attend another school; and
- where registrations for the following September are received on or after March 15,
- inform parents, beginning with the first student registration directed by the Board to an overflow site, when a space becomes available in the home school providing them the opportunity to have their child return.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 The Director of Education shall:
- inform parents, beginning with the first student registration directed by the Board to an overflow site, when a space becomes available in the home school providing them the opportunity to have their child return; and
- allocate staff and resources to support the Kindergarten: Registration and Accommodation procedure.
3.2 Superintendents of Schools shall:
- support principals with the registration and accommodation of students; and
- work with Planning Services to determine overflow sites, as necessary.
3.3 Principals shall:
- ensure that all registration information is complete;
- manage the school registration and accommodation process;
- ensure that parents are aware of the requirement to submit immunization information to York Region Community and Health Services (YRCHS) before their child starts school; and
- communicate with parents, superintendent of schools and Planning Services about the possibility of accommodating students at another school location.
3.4 Planning Services shall:
- support superintendents of schools and principals to ensure appropriate accommodation is available.
3.5 Parents/guardians shall:
- complete and submit the registration form with required documentation;
- understand that if kindergarten enrolment exceeds the school’s ability to accommodate students, that their child may be overflowed to an alternate school location, determined by the Board, in accordance with the registration and accommodation process; and
- review information provided by the school from York Region Community and Health Services and ensure that all information is complete prior to their child starting school.
4. Definitions
4.1 Registration Information
The following information must be completed to process kindergarten registration:
- all information on the kindergarten registration form, including signature; and
- proof of child’s age such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of residency.
A child is not considered to be registered until the registration package is complete.
4.2 French Immersion
French Immersion (FI) is an optional program in which students receive their instruction in French for a variety of subjects. The program begins in Grade 1 and is offered in two settings;
- single-track, where all the students in the school are enrolled in the French immersion program; and
- dual track, where some of the students in the school are in the French Immersion program while others are in the regular English program.
4. Contact
Education and Community Services
5. History
Approved: January 31, 2005 (Replacing S129 February 1999)
Working Document: February 2014, November 2014
Revised: April 7, 2006, January 13, 2010, December 2010, April 2025
Board Procedure #NP109.1, Kindergarten Supported Entry
1. Procedure Statement
The York Region District School Board believes that a collaborative approach between families, schools, and community partners, that places children at the centre of responsive decision-making, enables smooth transitions and a positive start to school for Year 1 learners. This procedure outlines the roles and responsibilities of the various partners in the supported entry for kindergarten process.
2. Application
2.1 Kindergarten classrooms with Year 1 students
2.1.1 Supported Entry Model A
- Year 2 students attend the entire day on the first day of school;
- Year 1 students are scheduled to attend in three 100-minute blocks throughout the course of the first day of school; and
- all Year 1 and Year 2 students attend and follow a regular schedule on the second day of school.
2.1.2 Support Entry Model B
- Year 2 students attend the entire day on the first day of school;
- Year 1 students are scheduled to attend in two 100-minute blocks on the first day of school; and
- all Year 1 and Year 2 students attend and follow a regular schedule on the second day of school.
2.1.3 Supported Entry Model C
An alternative model approved by the superintendent of schools and that adheres to the following principles;
- all Year 2 students follow a regular schedule;
- all Year 1 students attend for a set block of time on the first day of school; and
- all Year 1 and Year 2 students attend and follow a regular schedule on the second day of school.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 The Director of Education shall:
- allocate staff and resources to support the Kindergarten Supported Entry and Extended Day procedure.
3.2 The Superintendent of Schools shall:
- provide consultation support to principals creating a supported entry model C, which best meets the needs of the school community;
- provide support to principals regarding the kindergarten supported entry process.
3.3 Principals shall:
- select one supported entry model that best meets the needs of their school community;
- consult with the superintendent of education for use of supported entry model C that best meets the needs of the school community;
- use a team approach to ensure a supported entry model is in place for the first day of school;
- ensure families of pre-registered Year 1 students are informed of the supported entry visit time for their child before school closes for the summer;
- ensure families are clearly informed that returning Year 2 kindergarten students are to attend class the entire first day of school;
- ensure that on the second day of school, all kindergarten students are in attendance and following the regular schedule;
- consider altering the regular routine to maximize the kindergarten educators’ class time with new kindergarten students;
- ensure a welcoming environment is created for families of new kindergarten students;
- consult with the Student Services Area Coordinator for any student that may need a modified supported entry model;
- engage on site before and after care partners in the supported entry process;
- ensure that support is in place for students and families;
- respond to individual families’ needs to provide accommodations and reduce barriers as appropriate;
- plan support for kindergarten educators during the entire first week of school and as required thereafter; and
- refer to the Supported Entry to Kindergarten questions and answers document for additional information.
3.4 Kindergarten Teachers and Designated Early Childhood Educators shall:
- work with the principal to select one supported entry model;
- ensure all Year 2 students are scheduled to attend the entire first day of school;
- ensure all Year 1 students are scheduled to attend at least a portion of the first day of school in accordance with the identified supported entry model;
- ensure that all Year 1 and Year 2 students are following the regular schedule by the second day of school;
- ensure that all students, including Multilingual Language Learners and students with disabilities are supported through the supported kindergarten entry process to ensure equity of access;
- in early spring, meet with newly registered families and children; and
- across the spring and fall, engage with families to collaboratively plan for and support the successful entry of their child(ren) to kindergarten.
3.5 Parents/guardians shall:
- ensure their child(ren) attends the first day of school as outlined in the kindergarten supported entry model identified by the school;
- understand that by the second day of school, all Year 1 and Year 2 kindergarten students are following the regular schedule; and
- engage with school staff and education partners to support the successful entry of their child(ren) to kindergarten.
4. Definitions
4.1 Supported Entry
Supported entry is part of an orientation to public education in the York Region District School Board. It is an opportunity for kindergarten teams, in partnership with school leadership teams, families and early years’ partners, to ensure a successful transition to school for Year 1 learners.
Supported kindergarten entry demonstrates the Board’s belief in the value of the early years in ensuring high levels of student achievement and well-being. Supported entry begins prior to or at registration and continues through orientation to achieve a successful transition to kindergarten. Supported entry is one part of a welcoming transition process that builds positive relationships and creates safe and healthy learning environments where children feel they matter and belong.
The supported entry process;
- establishes consistent school entry practices;
- promotes active school participation in kindergarten programming as early in the school year as possible;
- maximizes opportunities for relationship-building and co-regulation with Year 1 children to ensure a supportive first day of school;
- provides opportunities for increased communication and contact with Year 1 families on the first day of school;
- supports safe arrival and dismissal for first-time YRDSB students; and
- keeps the child at the centre of responsive decision-making.
4. Contact
Curriculum & Instructional Services
5. Procedure History
Approved: March 2009
Working Document: February 2014, November 2014
Revised: January 13, 2010, June 2010, February 2025