Coming to Kindergarten – Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools

Starting Kindergarten is a big adventure for you and your child. All the new services and routines can be confusing.

This site is designed to give you an idea of what’s ahead. We invite you to use this guide to begin your child’s journey to school.

Registration

Gradual Entry

A Typical Day in Kindergarten

Delaying Kindergarten Enrollment

Countdown to Kindergarten

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have not done so already, the first step to starting school is registration.

Kindergarten registration begins the first week of January and is online only. You’ll need one of the following – your child’s Birth Certificate, Passport, Immigration Canada document, Certificate of Citizenship or Permanent Resident Card and two different documents that provide proof of residency.

If you have questions please email ereg@sd68.bc.ca.

More information about the school district’s structures and supports is available in the “What Are Inclusive Education Services” pamphlet.

You are the guardian; you know your child best

Kindergarten parents/caregivers will be asked to fill out a questionnaire and return it to their school by the end of June. The questionnaire will be distributed at the Welcome to Kindergarten event. You can also fill out the questionnaire ahead of time and bring it to the school to drop off at your Welcome to Kindergarten event.

A gradual entry system is scheduled to try to ensure that new Kindergarten students feel comfortable and confident in their new classroom. Gradual entry begins with an opportunity for caregivers and children to meet and talk with the Kindergarten teacher(s), followed by gradual periods of time for the children to attend that are built upon over the first days of Kindergarten.

In most schools, children also begin coming to school in smaller groups. This allows them to become familiar with their new school environment, classroom, school staff, and new friends. Children come in small groups for partial days, gradually increasing the length of time each day in the classroom. The first full day of Kindergarten is the Wednesday of the second week of school.

If you feel that a more individualized transition plan or routine is needed to support your child, please reach out to the school to collaborate in making a plan.

Find School

What to expect in Kindergarten!

Morning routines: changing shoes, hanging up their coat, beginning morning circle or soft start activities such as a ‘morning table’.
Play-based literacy and math activities.
Whole group songs, stories, poems, and dances.
Choice Time/ Centres.
Outdoor play and learning experiences.
Snack and Lunch.
Whole class inquiries for science and social studies activities.
Quiet time activities in the afternoon.
Going to the library to borrow books.
Going to music and gym.

The School Act states that parents/guardians must enroll their child in an educational program, provided by a Board of Education, on the first school day of a school year if, on or before December 31st of that school year, their child will have reached the age of 5 years.

The School Act also states that parents/guardians, of a child this age, may defer the enrolment of their child until the first school day of the next school year, when you may choose to register your child in either Kindergarten or Grade One.

If you are wishing to delay school enrollment for your five-year-old child, we request that you meet with your child’s catchment area school principal.

We encourage you to take this opportunity for a meaningful consultation regarding the programming we provide in Kindergarten, future placement and educational considerations, and also the program you would be providing at home, if you elect for that choice. This conversation would include, but not be limited to:

Understanding a Play Based Learning Environment;
Social emotional learning strategies;
Personalization of learning strategies and individual education planning;
Supports available if at school;
Placement considerations when returning to school; and,
Educational considerations resulting from a one-year delayed entry.

Learn More

Before Kindergarten
During Kindergarten

January to June

Attend one of our StrongStart Early Learning Centres
Online registration begins

January to May

Attend Ready, Set, Learn events in Nanaimo. These are free events for families with 3–5-year-olds. Ready, Set, Learn events are intended for families and their preschool-aged children (ages 3-5). It is all about fostering positive connections between families, the school system and local community agencies.

May/June

Attend Welcome to Kindergarten event – view your child’s day and time here.

If your child is registered for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year, you will be receiving an invite directly from the school closer to the event.

July/ August

Family time—rest and relaxation
Talk about starting Kindergarten—highlight the positives
Find everyday moments to practice routines such as putting on indoor shoes, using lunch kits, and toileting.

September

Kindergarten begins–gradual entry at most schools

October/November

Teachers/support staff get to know your child
Formative Assessment (Parent-Teacher) conferences
Family Wellness Hub
Ready Set Learn events

Washrooms
Recess
Lunch & Snack
What to Bring
Bussing
K Readiness
Separation Anxiety

The kindergarten class will have a washroom in the classroom or close to the classroom. Children are expected to be independent with personal toileting- close the door, use the toilet, flush, and wash their hands. The routine for individual classrooms will be reviewed by the classroom teacher as we begin school.

*Some children may not be independent with toileting for various reasons- medical condition, readiness issues etc. If your child is not yet independent with their toileting abilities please be sure to inform the school prior to school entry so that we can ensure support is provided.

Washrooms-at-School Download

Twice a day your child will go outside for recess. This may include the playground and the field.

There is supervision for all students during recess. Supervisors wear a safety vest so they are easily identified.

There is also outdoor supervision for 15 minutes before and after the school day as all children arrive and leave each day.

What-is-for-Lunch-and-Snack Download

Please send a pair of non skid velcro runners or good fitting slip on shoes to be worn in the classroom and gym.
Choose a backpack that is the right size for your child; too large makes it hard to carry, too small makes it difficult for them to pack up and manage their belongings. Possible items that go back and forth between school and home are: a lunch kit, a library book, and a Back and Forth folder.
Select lunch kits and containers that your child can easily open and close. Practice using them and putting them back into the kit.
Provide a change of clothes labeled with your child’s name in a bag.
Dress for play. In Kindergarten we are active and often get messy with paint, playdough, markers, mud and more.

If your child lives more than 4.0km from your catchment school, your child will be able to take the bus to and from school.

You can read more and register your child for a bus pass by visiting the bus registration page.

Learn More

Kindergarten-readiness-webinar-presentation Download

Helping your Kindergartener with
Separation Anxiety

BC Early Learning Framework A Guide for Families

You’re Not Alone

School staff highly value the information that you give us about your child.

Please reach out to the school team to share information that may help your child transition smoothly.

This could include any involvement with outside services, what language is spoken at home, or unique family dynamics. All this information helps a school team best plan for your child. You are the parent; you know your child best.

Kindergarten Questionnaire

Information Evening

Learning Services presented a virtual information evening for parents of next year’s Kindergarten students. They provided information, shared resources and answered questions. Here is a taped version in case you missed it.

Kindergarten Information Night 2025

If your child has some diverse abilities and/or you would like to know more about resources in the school system, please click the button below.

All Kids go to School