Kindergarten

What to Expect in Kindergarten

Your child will:

• Learn through play: Activities like exploring ideas, experimenting with materials and role-playing help your child grow and learn.
• Develop important skills: Early literacy, mathematics, problem-solving and collaboration are built into the play-based program.
• Feel valued and included: Our classrooms celebrate every child's unique strengths and identities.

Our dedicated educators will guide your child as they explore, make friends and develop a love for learning.

Learn more about the Kindergarten program. 

Partnering with Families

You are an expert on your child and an important part of your child’s education. We believe working closely with families is key to success and encourage you to be involved in your child’s learning.

There are many ways you can participate in your child’s Kindergarten learning, including:

• Share your child’s interests, strengths and growth with their educators.
• Read with them in their first language. 
• Talk about your child’s learning and daily experiences at school.
• Participate in family classroom events and activities.

Your child’s school will also invite you to a spring orientation event called “Discover Kindergarten” where you can meet the educators, see the classrooms, and get tips for preparing for beginning Kindergarten.

Access more tips and resources for Kindergarten families. 

Kindergarten is for All Children

We believe every child can be successful. That is at the heart of our work. We look forward to welcoming your child into our classrooms.

Learn more about how we work with families to support students with special education needs and Multilingual Language Learners. 

Before and After School Care

Need child care? We have partnered with community agencies to offer licensed before and after  care programs for school-age children. Find out what child care is available at your school. 

Welcome to Kindergarten Video

Welcome Message from the Director

Dear Families, 

Welcome to Kindergarten and to the York Region District School Board. 

Our Kindergarten classes are warm, caring, and welcoming places designed to support your child to learn, grow and thrive. Your child will learn through play and exploration. They will make new friends. They will develop early literacy and numeracy skills as they collaborate with peers and educators in joyful learning spaces.

It is important that your child feels welcome and valued in our schools. We design our classrooms and learning experiences to reflect the diverse cultures, identities, strengths, and interests of the students. We want them to feel proud of who they are.

Our skilled and caring Kindergarten educators will support your child in making the transition to Kindergarten a positive experience. We will be inviting you and your child to a spring orientation event where you will have the opportunity to meet Kindergarten educators at your school, learn more about what to expect, and how you can help prepare your child to start Kindergarten. Your school will send you more information in the next few months. 

We place great value on the essential role that families play in learning, and on developing strong and collaborative relationships between home, community, and school. We look forward to getting to know your child while building and strengthening our relationship in support of their learning, achievement, and well-being. 

We invite you to visit www.yrdsb.ca, where you can learn more about the Board, your school, and our Kindergarten program, and access information about student, family, and community resources. You can also access our Board podcast Tune In YRDSB, including an episode about what to expect as they begin school.

We look forward to welcoming your child to Kindergarten!

Sincerely,

Bill Cober

Director of Education