Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Kindergarten

How old does my child have to be to start Kindergarten?

Your child’s Kindergarten journey starts in the year they turn 4.

To begin Kindergarten in September 2026, your child will have been born in 2021 or 2022.

What information do I need to register my child for Kindergarten?

After completing the online registration your home school will contact you to arrange an in person appointment to review your registration documents. During the appointment, we need to review the following documents to complete the registration:

Proof of Address

  • Utility bill, tax bill, property insurance bill, proof of Ontario Property Assessment Notice, or purchase/lease agreement.

Proof of Birth (original documents required)

  • Birth Certificate, Canadian Passport, birth registration, citizenship card or statement of live birth.

Proof of Custody where applicable

  • Custody orders, court-ordered Guardianship

Student Immunization Information

Immigration Documents where required

What does my child need to know before starting school?

Parents, families and caregivers want to help their child feel ready for this new beginning. The good news is that the most important things can happen naturally at home.

  • Sing, play, read, and talk with your child in the language you use at home.
  • Chat about what school will be like and what happens before and after the school day, like riding the bus or who will pick them up.
  • Point out numbers, letters, and words you see around you, and talk about how you use reading and math in everyday life.
  • Build independence with things like putting on shoes and coats, using the washroom, tidying up toys, and talking with other children and adults.
  • Let your child practice opening and closing their lunch containers.

Children grow at their own pace. It’s completely okay if your child is still learning these skills. We’ll be here to support them every step of the way.

For more ideas, you can visit the Ministry of Education – Support your Child’s Learning webpage on getting ready for Kindergarten.

Who will be supporting my child’s learning in the classroom?

Each kindergarten class of 16 or more students has 2 main educators, one teacher and one designated early childhood educator (DECE). Classes with 15 or less students have one teacher.

Teachers and DECEs work as a team in the classroom to deliver high quality instruction rooted in child-development research.

Other teachers may also come into the classroom on occasion such as planning time teachers, and special education resource teachers.

We don’t speak English at home. How will my child be supported?

WRDSB schools are welcoming places where multilingual children learn, grow, and thrive.

WRDSB offers programs designed to help Multilingual Language Learners (MLL) succeed. For more information, please visit the MLL Department website.

Is my child eligible for transportation?

Transportation may be provided to students who are eligible to attend Kindergarten.

Visit the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo (STSWR) to see if your child is eligible.

Parents, families and caregivers who wish to have their child attend the before and after school program at their school are required to provide transportation to and from school each day.

How do I register for the Before and After School Program?

Before and After School programs are available in every school for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. Please note: Registration for the 2026-27 WRDSB Before and After School programs opens May 19, 2026.

Have a question that wasn’t shown here?

Please contact your home school for more information.