Kindergarten Information
Ready, Set, Go! It's Time to Get Set for Kindergarten!
- Registration for kindergarten begins Monday, February 13th, 2023 for the September 2023 start date! 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.
Programs & Cross Boundary
- If you are considering the SD46 SPIDER program, please contact the Elementary SPIDER (K-6) principal to discuss your interest in the program.
- If you are considering the NEST program, please submit the expression of interest form (available in February) by the March deadline.
- If the program is not offered at your catchment area school, please also fill out a cross boundary application in addition to the online registration form for your catchment area school.
- For cross boundary applicants, please complete the cross boundary online 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
2023 Flyer coming soon!
Vancouver Coastal Health | Stepping in to kindergarten
Health Resources for Early Childhood – Vancouver Coastal Health
Kindergarten immunizations, health screening, information and resources are available from the Dental Hygienist (tooth and oral health), Speech and Language Therapist (communication skills), Occupational Therapist (attention, learning and fine motor skills), Hearing Screener (hearing), Public Health Nurses (immunizations) and Dietitian (healthy eating). We invite you to connect with us for more information and to explore the resources below. Translation services are available for families who speak languages other than English.
Immunization is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child’s health and the health of their classmates. This year kindergarten immunizations are available by booked appointment with a Public Health Nurse.
If your child needs their immunizations, call to book an appointment or to ask questions:
Gibsons Health Unit: 604-984-5070
Sechelt Health Unit: 604-885-5164
Pender Harbour Health Centre: 604-883-2764
Kindergarten Immunizations:
Caring for Your Child after Immunization.
Early Childhood Speech and Language
If you would like to talk to a speech therapist about your child’s speech and language development please call 604-885-8705. Our speech-language therapists will be happy to discuss your concerns and provide a screening checklist to complete.
Milestones for speech and language development
The connection between language and reading
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists support children to develop skills necessary to participate as independently as possible in everyday activities including fine motor skills such as pre-printing skills, drawing, manipulating objects and the ability to attend to and participate in school activities. If you have concerns regarding your child’s kindergarten readiness skills please call 604-885-8706 to speak with the occupational therapist before your child enters school.
Dental Health
Promote oral health by offering your child healthy foods most often, water to drink when thirsty and milk with meals only. Help your child brush every day with fluoride toothpaste, especially before bedtime, and schedule regular check-up appointments with your dentist. Call the public health dental hygienist (604-984-5070 ext 6504) with questions, or to ask for mouth screening, or fluoride varnish.
Brushing and flossing for all ages
Mouth Care for the 3-6 year old
Health Eating and Nutrition
Find opportunities to share meals with your child. Children respond well to structured, sit down meals and snacks. Try to follow the division of responsibility of feeding when providing meals and snacks. The parent/caregiver decides what, when and where food is provided, and the child decides if and how much food to eat from what is provided. If you have nutrition questions or concerns please email HealthLINK BC Dietitians or call 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a Dietician.
Healthy Eating for Parents and Children
Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image
Welcome to Kindergarten Family Cookbook
Hearing
Hearing screening is available to kindergarten students with parental consent. If you have concerns about your child’s hearing please contact the VCH Public Health Audiology program at 604-984-5070.
Vision
If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, or to schedule a routine eye exam, please contact an optometrist.
Screen Time and Your Young Child
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