Kindergarten Information
Ready, Set, Go! It's Time to Get Set for Kindergarten!!
- Registration for kindergarten is OPEN for the September 2023 school year! Click HERE to begin the online student registration.
- School District 46 – Sunshine Coast invites parents of children entering kindergarten to register their children for the elementary school serving their area (go to the school locator and search your resident address to find your catchment area school).
- Kindergarten students must be five years of age on or before December 31st of the year they attend school.
- Indigenous Learning welcomes you to kindergarten! Why does the Registration Form ask about Indigenous ancestry?
- For more information on preparing your child for kindergarten, please read the SD46 Kindergarten brochure.
Registration and Expressions of Interest Forms Process
1. REGISTER WITH YOUR HOME SCHOOL
First you will need to register with your catchment school. You can determine this by entering your address into our school locator.
2. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORMS FOR DAVIS BAY ELEMENTARY NEST PROGRAM AND/OR LANGDALE ELEMENTARY NATURE-BASED LEARNING
If you are considering the Davis Bay NEST Program and/or Nature-Based Learning at Langdale, you will be required to fill out Expressions of Interest Forms (available in February) by the March deadline. You are welcome to submit Expressions of Interest Forms for both schools.
Also note, that the schools do not carry applications forward to the next year, you will be required to re-apply for your child each year, should they not obtain a spot.
- Davis Bay Elementary NEST K-Grade 7 Program Expression of Interest Form
- Langdale Elementary Nature-Based Learning K-Grade 3 Expression of Interest Form
Langdale Elementary families all have a place in the primary (K-Grade 3) Nature-Based Learning classes at Langdale Elementary and are NOT required to fill out the Expression of Interest Form. A lottery draw for spaces for those out of catchment will happen in late March dependent on the space available. This is unlike Davis Bay Elementary NEST where all students, regardless of their catchment area, have to enter a lottery by completing the Expression of Interest Form.
3. SD46 ELEMENTARY SPIDER PROGRAM
If you are considering the SD46 SPIDER program, please contact the Elementary SPIDER (K-6) principal to discuss your interest in the program.
4. CROSS BOUNDARY APPLICATION
If you do not live in the catchment of the school you wish to attend, after you complete the above, you will also need to complete a Cross Boundary Application by the March deadline.
Kindergarten Gradual Entry Schedule
Gradual Entry is a successful and long accepted practice in preschools and child care centres. It provides time for the child, parent and teacher to get to know each other better, making the transition to a kindergarten a happier, more comfortable and secure experience for children.
All schools on the Sunshine Coast follow the Kindergarten Gradual Entry program that promotes the interconnected relationships between the child, teachers, family and community (Pianta & Kraft-Sayre, 2003). Careful planning goes into the transition process, and typically involves opportunities for children and families to connect with school staff.
During the gradual entry process, “welcoming conversations” are scheduled with parents and caregivers, providing an opportunity for them to engage in one-to-one meetings with teachers. Teachers gain valuable insight about the child and parents gain a good understanding about what a kindergarten program entails. It helps build relationship between families and the kindergarten teacher and school team.
The familiarity with the learning environment and expectations that are developed through gradual entry helps children and families feel more comfortable and less anxious. It helps support children and create a positive start to their educational journey.
The following is this school year’s Kindergarten Gradual Entry Schedule:
School Supplies
At School District 46, we do not ask for families to purchase or pay for school supplies. In order to ensure that all of our students have high quality learning tools and that we reduce financial challenges for all of our families, school supplies will be provided.
KinderSPARK! and SPARK! to Kindergarten Registration
Vancouver Coastal Health Stepping into Kindergarten Spring Event
VCH Welcome to Kindergarten Letter to Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Welcome to Kindergarten! VCH’s school health programs provide immunizations, health information, and referrals for school-aged children, staff, and parents. A Public Health Nurse from your local health unit is also assigned to each school. In this letter you will find information about public health programs, services and resources to support your child and family.
Communicable Diseases and Immunizations
Routine Childhood Immunizations: We recommend Kindergarten children be immunized before starting school. Children 4 years of age need a booster of Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Tetanus, Polio and a booster of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox). For more information visit immunizebc.ca.
Providing immunization records to public health helps us respond quickly to outbreaks in schools and helps everyone get back to learning as soon as possible. Since 2019, the collection of immunization information for school age students is also required by law. Please provide your child’s immunization record when registering at your school or use the online school immunization reporting form on www.vch.ca/kindergarten.
If your child is not yet fully immunized, immunizations are available at your local public health unit, some family doctors or select local pharmacies.
Local Public Health Units (call to book an appointment):
- Gibsons Health Unit: 604-984-5070
- Sechelt Health Unit: 604-885-5164
- Pender Harbour Health Centre: 604-883-2764
How to prevent the spread of illness: Parents play an important role in teaching children to wash their hands. Handwashing can become a lifelong healthy habit if you start teaching it at an early age. Hand washing with soap and water, for at least 30 seconds, is the best way to stop the spread of germs. Hand washing is important before and after eating, using the toilet, and blowing your nose.
What to do when your child is sick: Students who are exhibiting symptoms of illness including respiratory and gastrointestinal illness should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular activities. Those who are vomiting or have diarrhea should be symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to school. For up to date information on childhood infections visit www.sneezesdiseases.com.
Health Living
Active Travel to School: Active kids are healthy kids. Using active ways of travel (walking, biking, rolling etc.) to and from school and other places in the community has many benefits for kids’ well-being and development.
Healthy eating also helps children to have the energy to learn and play.
Dental, Hearing and Vision Health
- Dental: Children with healthy teeth have better mental and social well-being, and learn better at school. Tooth decay can be prevented with good daily dental care, nutrition and regular visits to the dentist or dental hygienist every six months.
- Hearing: The Hearing Screening Team visits Kindergarten students in every elementary school to screen for hearing loss and for medical conditions of the outer and middle ear.
- Vision: Good vision is important for children’s learning and development. All children should see an optometrist before Kindergarten, to start school ready to learn.
Management of Medical Conditions in School
Please let your school know if your child requires additional support at school for the management of anaphylaxis (severe allergy), diabetes, seizures, asthma and/or any other complex medical needs.
For more information regarding the above topics, please visit the VCH website at www.vch.ca/kindergarten. If you have questions regarding health and safety resources, immunizations and communicable disease control, you can speak with a Public Health Nurse by calling your local public health unit. Best wishes for a safe and healthy school year.
VCH Public Health services are all free. Check out the BC Healthy Kids Program for information about covering the cost of basic dental care, prescription eyewear, and hearing assistance for children in low income families.
Dear parents/guardians of children entering kindergarten,
Your child is on a wonderful journey.
Your child is unique. No other child in the world said the same first word at the same moment as yours. No other child learned to walk in exactly the same way or at exactly the same time. No other child has had identical experiences, thoughts, interests or ideas. You know your child’s strengths and needs better than anyone.
As parents/guardians, you have firsthand knowledge of how your child learns. You have observed your child’s constant, active attempts to make sense of the world. As your child’s first teacher, you have helped your child to learn in many ways.
We are confident that your child’s schooling experience will continue the learning process started at birth and supported by you for the past few years. We are excited to assist each child to continue to develop in many ways throughout his or her school experiences.
By combining your knowledge and ours, we can assist your child to become a self confident, lifelong learner. Please call your child’s principal at any time if you have any questions about your child’s education.
Welcome to school on the Sunshine Coast!
Sincerely,
Kate Kerr
Superintendent of Schools