DSBN's kindergarten programs are designed to delight, surprise and engage

Kindergarten takes place in bright, beautiful spaces, and gives students the time and attention they need to play, learn, and grow.

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Barkley Peeking

What Does Learning Look Like in Kindergarten?

Your child will engage in the kind of learning Barkley loves the most: playing! Play helps stimulate a child's intellectual growth. Through different kinds of play, children learn how to reason and interact with each other, all while building a powerful foundation for a successful experience at school. Play-based learning in Ontario is designed to support your child's natural learning by focusing on four key areas:

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Belonging & Contributing

In Kindergarten, students really begin to explore where they fit into the world and their role as community members.

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Self-Regulation & Well-Being

Students matter as individuals. Learning in Kindergarten helps them to become more self-aware, and understand their own thinking and feelings.

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Literacy & Mathematics Behaviour

Students show literacy with the language, pictures, and materials they use to express themselves. Using numbers and patterns during play strengthens their developing mathematics skills.

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Problem Solving & Innovating

Kindergarten students begin to make sense of their world by asking questions, solving problems, and engaging in creative play.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 2024, your child will have been born in 2020

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

To register your child for Kindergarten, please show proof of:

  1. Age: a birth certificate or baptismal record or passport
  2. Proof of Address: including any two of the following current documents: Utility bill (e.g. hydro, gas, water), cable TV, internet, or home phone bill, insurance policy (home, tenant, auto or life), mortgage statement, rental or lease agreement or deed, current purchase and sale agreement, property tax bill or notice of tax assessment. Original correspondence from a government agency or legal clinic may be accepted as a second proof of address document
  3. Register online! Begin the registration process here

How do I register for Child Care?

Register for child care by visiting the Region of Niagara's Child Care Registry: Click here

How do I register my child for Kindergarten?

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions about Kindergarten Page!

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Contact us and we'll answer it for you!

What do parents and students think of DSBN Kindergarten?

  • My son asks every day if it's a school day. He's having the best time. - Fiona
  • It's wonderful. My daughter has come such a long way in only a few short months. - Katie
  • My daughter is in Kindergarten and I can say the teachers at John Marshall are very devoted. She gets up every morning excited to go to school. Normally she's sleepy and doesn't like getting up in the morning! - Duru
  • My young learners have built friendships and have already fostered a love of learning in JK/SK at DSBN. - Rick
  • I really do enjoy it! I've had 2 kids in the program. One before the first wave of Covid and 1 in it currently. It's a good mix of play and phonics. - Raegan
  • My son loves DSBN. He was at a different board before and it was nothing as good as this. He loves going to school and learning. I can't wait for my daughter to start next year. - Alicia
  • Amazing teachers and awesome environment at Caistor Central! The teachers are committed to helping students learn at all levels. We love it! - Melissa
  • It's been really great! The structure of the play-based learning has been so wonderful. - Renu
  • The team at Cherrywood school in Niagara Falls is amazing!!!!!! - Franny
  • Kindergarten teachers at Richmond PS are amazing. My kid can't wait to meet his teachers in-person or online. - Fareesa
  • We have been so happy with the Applewood Kindergarten program! Our daughter has learned so much! - Emily
  • My daughter is in SK and she loves it. She says her favourite part is making new friends. - Erika
  • We love Lakeview! The teachers made our transition to SK seamless. - Nikki
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Preparing for the First Day of Kindergarten

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Find Your Home School

Our School Locator tool will tell you where your child's home school is.

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Transportation

Your child may qualify for a seat on the bus. The Niagara Student Transportation Service takes care of transportation at the DSBN, and you can find out if your child is eligible by clicking below.

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Child Care at DSBN Schools

We work closely with several community partners to provide before and after school child care options.

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EarlyON Child & Family Centres

There are five EarlyOn locations based at our schools, where you and your child can engage in educational experiences together.

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Take your first steps with Barkley & read all about his first day!

"I was nervous on my first day with my new family, but everything turned out OK! I have a story you can read to your child on how I overcame my first day fears."

Barkley and his first step prints

First Day of School
September 5, 2024

"Thanks for learning all about Kindergarten with me. I can't wait to meet you and your family at school!"

Register for Kindergarten

Barkley belly up