Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Kindergarten @ BWDSB page

Kindergarten @ BWDSB

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Enrolling your child in kindergarten is an exciting milestone that fosters early learning and development. The Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) encourages families to register their children early to support a smooth transition into school life.

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Click to find a 2025 in-person kindergarten registration event in your area.

Eligibility and Registration

Children can start school in September if they turn four (Year 1) or five (Year 2) by December 31 of the same year. While kindergarten is optional, children must attend school by age six. Families are encouraged to discuss enrollment options, including delayed entry, with the school principal or learning resource teacher if necessary.

Child holding books.The image promotes kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year, stating that children must be at least 4 years old by December 31, 2026, to register.
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Kindergarten graduate photo hangs beside a self-portraitThe Kindergarten Program

The Ontario Kindergarten Program offers a mixture of explicit instruction and play-based, and inquiry-driven investigations to support the development of our youngest learners. The program focuses on key areas like belonging and contributing, self-regulation and well-being, demonstrating literacy and math skills, and problem-solving and innovating.  Children are involved in a variety of learning activities to help them investigate, problem solve and collaborate, under the guidance of an educator team that includes a teacher and early childhood educator. Classrooms are typically led by a teacher and an early childhood educator (ECE), who work together to support individual and group learning. 

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three smiling students eating lunch

Preparing for Kindergarten

Getting ready for Kindergarten is an important step in helping children feel confident and prepared for their first school experience. It involves more than just academic readiness—it’s also about developing social, emotional, and self-help skills that set the foundation for success. Practicing routines, learning to follow directions, managing emotions, and gaining independence with tasks like dressing and eating all contribute to a smoother transition. Preparing early also helps reduce anxiety by making school feel familiar and exciting rather than overwhelming. When children feel ready and supported, they are more likely to enjoy learning, make new friends, and build a strong, positive start to their educational journey.

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student giving a teacher a high five before she goes on the school bus.Important Information

Before starting Kindergarten, it’s important for families to have key information to feel comfortable and confident on the first day. Knowing what to expect can ease anxiety for both children and parents, and helps create a smooth transition into the school environment. Understanding how safe arrival plans work, what to pack for nutrition breaks, and how the daily schedule is structured all contribute to a successful start.

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Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
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