Kindergarten

Kindergarten registration will commence on Monday, January 20th, 2025, at 8:30 am. 

1. Enter your primary home address into our School Locator portal to determine your neighbourhood catchment school. Families must register first with their neighbourhood catchment school, regardless of where they may want to send their child.
2. Choose one of the below registration options. Regardless of the chosen registration method, all families will be required to provide identification documents to satisfy proof of age and proof of address, etc. School staff will book appointments for verification purposes. Please provide an accurate email address and phone number for parent/guardian contact.
   • Online Registration (requires a computer, not a cell phone) - link opens Monday, January 20th, 2025 at 8:30 am. A Parent Guide is available for new families or returning families using this software;
   • Fillable PDF form (download before you fill in) you can complete and email to your neighbourhood catchment school; or
   • Printed Registration form that can be completed and will require you to book an appointment to submit the paperwork with your neighbourhood catchment school.
3. If both parents are not a Canadian Citizen or permanent residents (even if your child was born in Canada), complete the registration process here.
4. If one or both parents are Canadian Citizens (even if your child was born outside of Canada), complete the registration process as noted in #2 above.

Registration will be considered complete when a parent/guardian has provided the required supporting documents (proof of address, birth certificate etc.)to accompany the registration method. Submission of these documents may be through the online registration portal, or by submitting registration documents via email, fax, pre-arranged school drop-off, or at a pre-scheduled appointment with your neighbourhood catchment school.

Families with children already registered in the school district will be able to provide their identification documents electronically, instead of in person. Families new to our school district may complete and submit their registration documents electronically, but they must book an appointment to provide original supporting documents in person. Once registration is received and complete, parents/guardians will receive a welcome email and instructions on additional required documents.

Proof of age of the child by birth certificate is required for all new student registrations (schools will make a photocopy). To ensure the child being registered qualifies for Ministry of Education funding, the biological parents/legal guardians’ status and the biological parents/legal guardians’ residency need to be established. Schools may register the child providing the following are established:

1. At least one biological parent/legal guardian is a Canadian Citizen by birth or naturalized (obtained citizenship) and they can support this with the following pieces of identification: Parent’s Canadian Citizenship Card; Parent’s Canadian Birth Certificate; Parent’s Canadian Passport; and Permanent Resident Card.
2. The biological parent/legal guardian must provide proof of residency and provide ONE of the following: Utility bill; Mortgage document; Property Sale Agreement; Property Tax Notice/Assessment.
3. In addition, ONE of the following three documents containing the name and address of the parent/guardian is required: Child Tax Statement; Government Notice of Assessment; Current Year T4; Government document (eg. MSP bill).
4. Notification if the child has attended school in the Abbotsford School District in the past OR is coming from another school district OR if there is a sibling who has already been attending school in the school district.
5. You will also need to provide your child's CareCard, and your doctor's name and phone number, and other required documents as determined by the school.

The Abbotsford School District is proud to offer a wide range of educational options for all types of learners. In addition to excellent neighbourhood schools, we offer District Programs that include French Immersion, Integrated Arts, and Traditional Schools. (Nature K will also be included in the lottery.) Acceptance to these programs is based on a lottery registration process. 

Families must register their Kindergarten child at their neighbourhood catchment school before applying for District Programs. A lottery process is used every January/February to determine the registration priority order. Entries can be made at any time during the five days. Late entries are not accepted, and only one entry per child is allowed. Seats will be assigned in late February on a proportional basis by catchment area via a random selection process. Students with an older sibling in the program will be given priority placement over new applicants.

Lottery for the District Kindergarten Programs and late French Immersion program (Grade 6) will open Monday, January 27, 2025 at 8 am and close Friday, January 31, 2025 at 4 pm.

Registration Link

Children not accepted due to space restrictions may go on a waitlist and should plan to attend their catchment school. If families have not heard by mid-March, please contact the school Principal of your neighbourhood catchment school, and they will help you find out about your child’s status.

School Catchment Area

It is important for families to note that they must first register their child at their designated neighbourhood catchment school. This initial step is a prerequisite if families plan to apply for any District Programs. 

Determine your Neighbourhood Catchment

For further assistance with the registration process or the online District Program application process, contact your neighbourhood catchment school. They will be happy to assist you!

If you are interested in having your child attend a school that is not your neighbourhood catchment school, you will need to apply through the out of catchment form (AP 336-3). Out-of-catchment applications will only be considered once all catchment students have been accommodated. Please note: an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Learning Support for Your Child in Kindergarten

Learning Support Services is available for children in Kindergarten. Contact your school for more information.

What does gradual entry mean for my child?

This approach ensures that your child has dedicated time to connect with the kindergarten teachers and adapt to the social and emotional aspects of the elementary school environment. The transition is facilitated through smaller group interactions, allowing both children and families to get use to the Full Day Kindergarten program. During this period, teachers introduce classroom routines and procedures, making the transition more personalized. Ultimately, this helps your child feel at ease and valued as they become part of the school community.

What does gradual entry mean for my family?

The Abbotsford School District’s approach acknowledges that parents and families play a crucial role as a child’s first teachers. The gradual entry process provides families with a valuable opportunity to share essential background information with the school. This exchange of knowledge helps create a more informed and supportive educational environment for each child.

What does this process look like, and what can I expect during gradual entry?

The gradual entry process remains consistent across the district for full-day kindergarten. However, the timing of intake meetings and student groupings may differ from school to school. During this period, students will have the chance to:

• Familiarize themselves with the teacher(s)
• Interact with some classmates
• Learn about classroom routines
• Meet key staff members at the school

Kindergarten teachers will actively collect information about each student, including their interests, readiness levels, and learning styles. This will help to inform the teachers’ instructional plans, helping to ensuring a personalized approach for your child. Conversations and observations with both children and families contribute to this holistic understanding.

When will I know who my child’s teacher is?

Getting to know each Kindergarten student individually before finalizing class lists is a thoughtful approach. It allows Kindergarten teachers to create balanced classes that consider the unique needs of every child. While this process does take time, rest assured that classes will be organized and ready by the third Monday of September.

Transitioning to Kindergarten is an exciting time for both children and parents. Here are some helpful tips to prepare your child:

• Talk About Kindergarten: Engage in conversations with your child about what Kindergarten will be like. Express enthusiasm and excitement, so your child looks forward to this new adventure.
• Independent Time with Relatives or Friends: Arrange for your child to spend independent time with relatives or close family friends. This experience helps children develop a sense of independence and learn how to communicate their needs with other adults. It also provides parents with insights into their child’s reactions when away from them.
• Set Up Playdates: Informal socialization is essential during the summer months, regardless of preschool experiences. Consider setting up playdates with children who attend the same school. These interactions can help your child establish early friendships and feel more comfortable in the school environment.
• Explore Early Learning Documents: The Ministry of Education and Childcare provides valuable early learning resources that can help support your child’s transition to Kindergarten:
  • Play Today Handbook
  • Let’s Play: Activities for Families
  • Ready, Set, Learn Guide
  • When I go to Kindergarten
  • Early Learning Framework: A Guide for Families

BC's Full Day Kindergarten Program Guide

Register online at https://www.abbyschools.ca/schools/registration/new-to-canada.  Support is available from SWIS program to help families complete the online application.

Permanent Residents will now register at catchment schools with support from Archway.