Transitioning your child to kindergarten is a big and exciting step. The Coalition and the School District of Palm Beach County are here to support! Being prepared can help ease nerves for both caregivers and children. The tips below focus on the excitement and positives of this new chapter in your child’s life!

Helping Your Child Prepare

There are certain skills and abilities that you can help your child prepare for school. Keep in mind that these skills and abilities are suggestions, and that it is okay if your new kindergartener is still learning how to master certain subjects and tasks. 

• Help your child practice their social and emotional development giving them opportunities to play and interact with other children. This gives them time play cooperatively and take turns.
• Before kindergarten, have your child practice eating and drinking without assistance, as well as using the restroom, attending to personal hygiene, and dressing on their own.
• Early ways to prepare for language, literacy, and math skills include identifying letters, writing their name, counting, and identifying basic shapes such as a circle, rectangle, and square.

Check out Palm Beach County’s Kindergarten Power Standards for more recommendations. These were developed by early learning educators and Kindergarten teachers as a simple guide for families: Kindergarten Entry Expectations Final copy.pdf (palmbeachschools.org).

• Other ways to prepare for kindergarten include visiting a local library to check out books and reading stories about starting kindergarten.
• About two weeks before school starts, start an evening and morning routine to practice getting ready for bed at night and out the door in the morning.
• If your child’s school offers a back-to-school event, attend with your child, and meet the teacher. Do a “dry run” to show your child how school drop-offs will look. Make sure your child and their teacher know how they will be getting home. Most important of all, be positive and celebrate your child having a great first day! 

How to Find and Register for Your School

The School District of Palm Beach County has put together a great guide on how to register your child for kindergarten, which can be found here: https://www.palmbeachschools.org/Page/6884. See below for a quick overview:

• Your child must be 5 years old by September 1 to register for kindergarten.
• Find your zoned school here: https://arcgis.palmbeachschools.org/arcgisportal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4ba2309b027c4606999d9a5a4d84778f. You can then register online on the Palm Beach County School District’s website, or in-person at the school Monday-Friday during school hours. A registration form can be found on the School District’s website, or at the front office of your zoned school.
• Gather all required documents to complete the enrollment process, including:

o  Proof of birth (birth certificate, passport, or religious records).

o  Proof of residence in Palm Beach County (two current documents reflecting the correct residential address, such as a driver’s license, electric bill, credit card statement, etc.).

o  Proof of required immunizations from the child’s doctor.

o  Proof of a recent physical exam (due within the first 30 days of school). 

• Information on events to meet school staff, learn about the kindergarten curriculum, and getting acquainted with the school’s programs and services can be found here: https://www.palmbeachschools.org/Page/12406.
• If you are interested in your school’s after-school program, visit https://www.palmbeachschools.org/Page/1211. 

With preparation and family support, you and your child will be able to master the big transition to kindergarten together! For more tips on transitioning to kindergarten and registering for school, visit our webpage here: https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/transition-to-kindergarten.