Starting Kindergarten is an exciting time for you and your child.
We’re here to make it a positive and joyful experience. Our classrooms are warm, caring, and welcoming spaces where children learn through play and exploration.
Learn more about how to register for Kindergarten in YRDSB. We look forward to meeting you and your child and helping them thrive in Kindergarten!
Kindergarten Registration
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.
Kindergarten Timeline
Is your child eligible for Kindergarten? Open the drop-down menu below to explore timelines, including registration, opportunities to prepare your child for Kindergarten and what to expect in the first few months of school.
| Dates | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| January | Bright Beginnings, Endless Possibilities. Kindergarten registration opens in January. Register early for before and after care. Kindergarten is where big dreams start small. Learn how Kindergarten helps children develop the academic and social skills they need to thrive in Grade 1 and beyond. Our skilled and caring teams of certified teachers and early childhood educators work together to support every child in a welcoming, inclusive environment. | |
| February-March | In collaboration with the York Region Child and Family Collaborative, York Catholic District School Board, and the EarlyON Child and Family Centres in York Region, York Region District School Board invites families of children eligible for Kindergarten in September to join us for a two-part conference. This free, family-friendly conference supports caregivers and children as they prepare for a successful transition to Kindergarten. | |
| Spring | Discover Kindergarten and Information Session
| Discover Kindergarten: As part of a supportive transition to Kindergarten process, this event offers a playful experience for children to connect with their new school and staff, and to engage in learning through play with other children, their family and educators. The intended audience of this event is children entering Kindergarten for the first time (Year 1 or Year 2) and their families Kindergarten Information Session: As part of a supportive transition to Kindergarten process, schools plan a Kindergarten Information Session for parents/guardians/primary caregivers to receive important information about the play-based Kindergarten program, the school and classroom routines, and school and/or community based supports and services. The session also gives parents/guardians/primary caregivers an opportunity to share information, ask questions and begin to develop a relationship with the school. |
| Spring Summer | Prepare for Kindergarten | Review our tips to prepare your child for Kindergarten. |
| July | Camp Black Brilliance offers families the opportunity to get to know the Kindergarten program and have their children experience their introduction to schooling in a way that is culturally responsive and affirming of their identity, through experiential learning. | |
| Summer. Please contact your local EarlyON program for dates and availability. | This parenting program is designed to support families with children entering Kindergarten. The goal is to connect participants with community resources and services in York Region and to provide a community space in which to exchange ideas, information and parenting tools that will ultimately help to establish a solid foundation in all domains of learning and will contribute to positive experiences and outcomes for children. | |
| Please contact your local public library for program availability. | Ready, Set, Kindergarten Programs at Local Libraries | For example: Children enjoy an independent half-hour of stories, songs and activities while learning some of the social skills they will need in kindergarten. Caregivers must remain in the library. |
| September (Tuesday after Labour Day) | Staggered Entry First Day of School | In YRDSB, on the first day of school Year 1 students (Junior Kindergarten) attend for an approximately 100-minute visit. This is an opportunity to meet their teacher and Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE) and become oriented to the classroom environment prior to the second day of school, which Year 1 students can attend for the full day. More information will be shared by your child’s school. |
| September | Meet the Staff/ Curriculum Night | YRDSB schools typically offer a variety of after-school events early in the year for families to meet the staff and learn about the school and curriculum. |
| November/December | Year 1 Observation Visits | As part of a welcoming and inclusive transition to school process, the Year 1 Kindergarten Observation Visit provides an opportunity for families, children and educator teams to strengthen ongoing collaborative relationships and reciprocal communication. Through meaningful conversations and observations within the classroom, educator teams and families co-create shared understanding of a child’s experiences and learning within a play-based learning environment. Observation visits will be scheduled to take place during a three week time period, immediately following the November P.A. Day. |
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
| This message is also available in Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), English, Farsi, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu , Vietnamese and Ukrainian. |
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
