Kindergarten Program

Registration

You may register your child for Kindergarten starting in January by visiting our online registration portal. You will be required to provide proof of your child’s name, date of birth, and citizenship. The following documents are accepted:

• Birth certificate
• Canadian citizenship certificate
• Passport
• Baptismal certificate
• Court Order
• Information confirming your home address

Address Verification

We will require verification of your address. This must be a document that has your name and the physical address where the student resides with the parent(s)

• examples: utility bill, driver’s license, first page of rental or purchase agreement

Student Age Requirements

Children must turn five years of age by the last day of December of the year the child begins kindergarten.

While Kindergarten is an optional program, a child MUST start school if they are six years old as of September 1. Each of our schools offering elementary programming hold information sessions for parents in late winter or spring.  Check with your designated school for more information.

Kindergarten Overview

Foothills School Division’s kindergarten program is guided by Alberta Education’s Kindergarten program philosophy.  Building on what children have already learned in their home and community settings, it supports the uniqueness and integrity of every child, promotes a positive attitude towards lifelong learning and seeks to help children value themselves as capable, competent learners.

In Kindergarten, children explore and experiment with their environment and learn how to interact with others. The Kindergarten program, which is funded by Alberta Education, addresses seven learning areas:

• Early Literacy
• Early Numeracy
• Citizenship and Identity
• Environment and Community Awareness
• Personal and Social Responsibility
• Physical Skills and Well-being
• Creative Expression

Part-Time Kindergarten Program

Part-Time Kindergarten Programs are available in most schools across the Division. Please use the Find a School tool to find your local school.

Full-Time Kindergarten Program

The Foothills School Division is offering an optional Full-Time Kindergarten Program.  Students that participate in our Early Learning Program will attend school Monday-Friday, and the program will be led by a certified and experienced kindergarten teacher.

The full-time kindergarten program will be available in 4 schools across the Division, including Okotoks (Dr. Morris Gibson School and Big Rock School), High River (Spitzee Elementary School), and Black Diamond (C. Ian McLaren School).

French Immersion Kindergarten Program

The Division offers French Immersion Kindergarten programs in Okotoks (École Percy Pegler School) and High River (École Joe Clark School).

Transportation

Transportation is provided for Kindergarten students who reside 2.4 kilometers or further from their designated school OR Kindergarten students who reside 1.6 kilometers or further from their designated and who do not have an older sibling with whom to walk. Please note that there is no busing provided during the lunch hour, so transportation for half-day programs is only one-way - either to school in the morning or home from school at the end of the day. For more information, please contact our Transportation Department.