General Kindergarten Information

Kindergarten is a special time and place in the life of a young child. Saskatoon Public Schools are open to all children and dedicated to embracing every student in a safe and welcoming environment. We understand the importance of early learning and literacy. Our Kindergarten classes are small to encourage individualized education. Our Literacy for Life initiative includes a strong literacy component in Kindergarten. When it comes to supporting literacy, Saskatoon Public Schools is a leader!

We offer French Immersion Kindergarten in five of our elementary schools. If your child will be five years old by January 31 of the year they will be attending kindergarten, it's time to start thinking about what Kindergarten she/he will attend.

To choose the right English or French Immersion Kindergarten for your child, we invite you to bring your child to visit our Kindergarten classes, tour our schools and meet our teachers.

Information on Full Day Kindergarten
(Check the Saskatoon Public Schools Site for more information).

School Calendar is available off the Saskatoon Public Schools main website - Print off a copy for your reference. Includes holidays, planning and professional development days.

• PBS About My Kindergartener Website - Weaving language and literacy into everyday activities at home helps your kindergartener develop as a reader and writer. Simple projects like writing a grocery list together, making words with magnetic refrigerator letters, or just talking about what you see as you ride the bus can become important moments in your child's literacy development. Learn more ways you can support and inspire your kindergartner as he inches towards literacy.
• Literacy Center for Parents and Teachers - Play and Learn activities available in four languages.

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Parents wonder if their child is ready to start kindergarten. Are there some indicators which can help them make the right choice?

There are no simple answers to concerns like these. Understanding some of the underlying issues may help you make the best choice for your child. It is also important to understand that Saskatoon Public Schools and your neighbourhood kindergarten classes are ready and willing to accept your child into a kidnergarten class and to assist in your child's transition to kindergarten and school life.

So, what can parents do to help them decide when to send their child to kindergarten?

• Get information about your local kindergarten program. Talk to parents in the community. Ask about their experience with kindergarten. Educate yourself about kindergarten so you are able to learn more about what it might mean for your child.
• Visit the local school's kindergarten orientation. Ask questions like, "How important do you think it is for children to be able to get along with other children BEFORE kindergarten or do you plan to help children with this in kindergarten?" Ask about programming, expectations, structure, and other items that you know will be important to your child.
• Consider your child's total growth and development and try to identify both strengths and areas that are still improving. Parents often focus on one area where they see their child is behind. But in order to make good decisions about children's school entry, it's important to think not only about specific skills, but also about physical, social, and emotional development. For example, a child who doesn't use pencils or scissors as well as most children his age may do fine in kindergarten and first grade if he's not sensitive about having his work corrected.
• Consider the potential school environment. Is the kindergarten developmentally appropriate (that is, designed for the interactive ways most five year olds learn best) and designed to meet children's physical, social, and emotional as well as cognitive development or is it mostly academic and highly structured? - How well is the kindergarten prepared to meet the individual needs of the child?- Will other children attend who are close in age to the child or does the school encourage most younger children to wait a year?- If the child doesn't attend kindergarten, what will she do instead? Will these experiences be challenging and satisfying for her?
• Feel free to contact your area school to learn more about the Kindergarten Program.

Adapted from http://www.parentinginformation.org/readyforkindergarten.html