Thanks so much to the United Way of Lackawanna County for this guest post!
Late August? September? In the midst of the winter doldrums, it is hard to imagine life after winter, let alone summer. Therefore, it makes it really hard to imagine why it’s so important to register your child on time for Kindergarten. It’s a lifetime away…right? Well, not really.
One of the biggest adjustments in a child’s life can be moving from a pre-school or home setting to a half day or full day Kindergarten program. Success By 6, the school readiness program of the United Way of Lackawanna County, has been working to make the pre-k to Kindergarten transition as smooth as possible for five year olds. We believe that one of the most effective ways we can aid families in this process is to highlight why it’s important to register on time. Dates for Kindergarten registrations will begin in February and take place throughout the Spring. During Kindergarten registration, many schools will offer free screenings including hearing and vision screenings. Early identification of needs means they can be addressed early. Early identification is also helpful for schools as they prepare to meet the needs of all children who enter their school.
Beginning Kindergarten is a big deal, a new step. This time should be filled with happiness and excitement for the entire family, but can be stressful if children and families are unfamiliar with the new setting. Many schools offer orientation events such as a school tour or a Welcome to Kindergarten night where the family will have the opportunity to meet the Kindergarten teachers. The “mystery” surrounding what the rooms will look like such as the Kindergarten room, the cafeteria, and even the restrooms are often sources of anxiety. Once these “mysteries” are taken away, the anxiety is often taken away.
Here are some other items to think about as you begin this new journey:
- Will your child be attending before or after school care? How will the child be transported from school to child care? School busses do not necessarily transport children to after school care. Check with your current provider regarding before or after school arrangements.
- Is the afterschool location in the same location as siblings?
- How will the fee change from full day to part day?
- What activities are planned for afterschool? Are you going to set a limit on activities? Your child will be presented with the opportunity to get involved in various activities. Before joining, ask those in charge: what is expected and the time commitment involved for you and your child.
Some mandatory items that parents will need to register their child for Kindergarten are:
- Immunizations records. These need to be up to date – all schools are going to need an updated record – your physician is the only one who can fill this out.
- Proof of residency – you will need to supply utility bills, rent receipts, mortgage statements. Some schools require more than one document for proof of residency.
- Original Birth Certificate and / or Social Security Card.
For more information and school readiness tips go to: www.uwlc.net click on Success By 6.