Kindergarten

Pathway to Kindergarten

A successful transition not only ensures that a child is ready to leave the early years preschool, childcare, playschool or home setting to start primary school, but it also makes sure that the early years setting the child is leaving and the school the child will join are also prepared to support this important transition. In order to achieve a successful transition there must be communication and connection between the early years setting and the school leading up to Kindergarten.

Rocky Mountain School District has collaborated with early years community partners to develop a Pathway to Kindergarten to support families, school staff, and early years partners with the transition to Kindergarten. Parents and caregivers can access the Ministry of Education and Child Care's Ready, Set, Learn booklet which is filled with ideas for helping your preschooler get comfortable going to school.

Additionally, families can find many free resources to engage children in play-based activities on the Early Learning Programs tile.

Starting School

StrongStart is a free Ministry of Education and Child Care program for families with preschool children ages 0-5 and offers early childhood experiences under the guidance of an Early Childhood Educator. Ready, Set, Learn events and Kindergarten transition events will be communicated annually through schools and early years partners.

In addition to all of these preschool events, Rocky Mountain School District in collaboration with many community partners has created a Kindergarten Transition Timeline for the year leading up to beginning school. Parents are also welcome to reach out to the principal of their catchment area school to ask any questions they may have, arrange to visit the school, and tour your child's new classroom. Parents should also meet with school staff to identify their child's strengths, needs, interests and any areas in which they may require additional supports.

Learning supports: Schools want to ensure a smooth transition into Kindergarten for you and your child. In order to proactively plan, it is important that families communicate with principals when they register in January if their child has special needs. You can learn more about the learning supports and services available in the Rocky Mountain School District here.

Learn more about going to Kindergarten here.

Full Day Kindergarten

A full day, play-based kindergarten program has long-term benefits for a child's academic and social skills – it can increase their success in school and in life. Access to full day kindergarten is available for all eligible five-year-olds in British Columbia. When I Go to Kindergarten supports a vision of communities where children feel nurtured, safe, connected to their culture and honoured for who they are as individuals.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care strategically allows fewer minutes of instruction in kindergarten so there can be a gradual entry for children and families into the school system. Please read the What is Gradual Entry document linked below for more information.

When to Register

Children must be 5 years old by December 31st of the year they are starting Kindergarten.

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 year will run from January 20 to January 31. Parents/caregivers need to register at their catchment school. Catchment area schools can be found on the Registration page using the link below.

Registration is done online and forms will be available on the school district's Registration Page. If you are unable to complete this online form at home, laptops will be made available for legal parents/guardians at their child's catchment area school.

To register your child, the parent or legal guardian must provide the school with the following:

Your child's original birth certificate, any applicable immigration documents, and/or proof of Canadian citizenship for both you and your child.
Your child's BC Health Care Card or proof of a submitted application if you are new to the province of BC.
Proof of your residence address (a document such as your driver's license, your current year property tax receipt, current month rental receipt, or a purchase/rental agreement).

Note: Children are required to be registered for school or homeschooling no later than the calendar year in which they turn six. If parents are thinking about waiting a year to register their their five-year-old for kindergarten, we strongly encourage families to discuss this choice with their catchment area school principal in order to understand the full K-12 education journey and determine the best placement for their child. Please see the Considerations for Kindergarten document linked below for more information.

School Catchment Areas

Rocky Mountain School District has school catchment areas for the purpose of assigning students to a specific school. A student's catchment area school is defined by the address of their parent/legal guardian. For more information on catchment areas, please refer to School District Practice 2100.

Find more information on these topics:

Full Day Kindergarten program

Considerations for Kindergarten

What is Gradual Entry?

Health Hints for Kindergarten