It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Former Kindergarten teacher, Krista Dawson, (shown here as a Kindergartner) shares her experience and the importance of registering for Kindergarten.

Published on April 29, 2020

As a former Kindergarten teacher, I am keenly aware of how important it is for kiddos to be registered and ready to start Kindergarten Day 1!

I have had students start late and struggle to settle into the classroom rhythm and I have seen the stress and anxiety it causes for both parents and children. If lots of people fail to register this spring, then when school begins, there may be major classroom shifts to accommodate the late enrollees. This creates some big challenges for both the school and the individuals who may suddenly get a new teacher.

I was that new teacher one year. I had just moved to Arizona and although my future principal was ready to hire me, he couldn’t until enrollment was high enough to justify another classroom. That didn’t happen until the third week of school when all of the existing classes had to redistribute students to balance and create a new class.

Talk about hard! Little 4-5 year-olds with little school experience, just settling into a routine and building a relationship with their teacher, suddenly have to move- learn a new routine, meet more new friends and have a new teacher!

So, did that motivate you? Don’t contribute to that awful chain reaction caused by late registration. Use my personal experience to help you avoid undue stress for both your child and his/her future teacher! Gather all your needed documents and get your little one registered!

With that said, registration will look different this year. With our current “stay-at-home” status with COVID-19, our region has shifted registration to an online format starting April 30. Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond is a great go-to resource to find out what documents you need to register your child (who will be 5 by September 30) as well as links to each of the local school systems for any specifics.

If you don’t find the answers you need, try calling 2-1-1. 2-1-1 is helpful resource connecting people with free information on available community services. When you dial 2-1-1, a trained professional listens to your situation and suggests sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in Virginia.

Registering is only the first step. Take advantage of this extended time at home to ensure your child is practicing good routines (personal care, bedtime, household chores, daily reading, healthy eating…) and learning the critical skills needed for school success. Below are some helpful links to get you started. And don’t forget our Children’s Museum blog- we will continue providing engaging learning activities each week.