Kindergarten begins in the fall of each school year.
Choosing the Right School
Once you've found out when your child will start kindergarten, the next step is finding a school. Every child in Calgary has a designated school at the CBE. You can find yours by using our find a school tool.
We also have a variety of alternative programs available to our students. Visit our Program Options to find out what we offer.
Registering for Kindergarten
After you have chosen a school for your child, it's time to look at registration. You have to register in person at your school with proof of residence, your child's name, date of birth and citizenship. Parents of new kindergarten registrants must complete a CBE registration form at each alternative program or school in which they are expressing an interest.
You may submit a registration package at multiple schools while you decide on a program or location. Once your child has been accepted to a program and you have confirmed where your child will attend, please contact the other schools and ask them to remove your child’s name from their list. This will ensure our schools have accurate registration and/or wait lists. Your child can be enrolled in only one kindergarten program.
Visit our Registration page for more information and for the forms you'll need.
Non-Canadian Citizens
If your child isn't a Canadian citizen, you will need to register at the admissions office at Kingsland Centre, 7430 5 Street S.W. Phone 403-777-7373, then press 1 to make an appointment.
You will need legal proof of your child's name, date of birth and citizenship status in Canada, as well as proof of your address. Acceptable documents include:
- Permanent resident card
- Confirmation of permanent residence
- Record of landing
- Parent's valid work permit or study permit and child's birth certificate
Transportation
Two-way transportation is arranged for children in kindergarten who attend their designated school and live within the transportation service area. Bus maps are available from your school three days before classes start.
For more information on busing eligibility, fees and routes, visit our Transportation page.
My 1st Ride
The CBE offers a school bus orientation program for first-time riders and their parents, called My 1st Ride. Registration begins in April each year.
Additional Supports
Based on classroom needs, each kindergarten classroom will also be supported by an enhanced supports team that will support teachers to optimize your child’s learning experience. The team may consist of:
- Early learning strategists
- Speech-language pathologists (SLP) and assistants (SLA)
- Occupational and physical therapists (OT/PT)
- Education assistants (EA)
- Early childhood practitioners (ECP)
- Family-oriented programming facilitators (FOP)
- School family liaison (SFL)
- Behaviour analyst
- Psychologist
Supporting Your Child
As your child's first and most important teacher, you play an on-going role in his or her education. Consider volunteering in the classroom or becoming a member of the school council. Research shows that if parents are involved in the school, children learn better. Most importantly, you can support your child at home by talking about the school day and displaying his or her work.
Full-day Kindergarten
Most CBE schools offer half-day kindergarten programs; however full-day kindergarten programs are offered in a few schools where data identifies children who would most benefit from additional time spent in a kindergarten program.
Registrations for full-day kindergarten can be accepted only for children living in the school’s designated area.
For 2019-20, the following schools will offer full-day kindergarten:
- Abbeydale
- Banting and Best
- Catherine Nichols Gunn
- Colonel J. Fred Scott
- Douglas Harkness
- Falconridge
- James Short Memorial
- Keeler
- Marlborough
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- Niitsitapi Learning Centre
- Patrick Airlie
- Penbrooke Meadows
- Piitoayis Family School
- Radisson Park
- Valley View
- Vista Heights
- West Dover
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The data used to determine full-day kindergarten schools is updated every year. This means that schools that offer full-day kindergarten may change slightly from year to year.