Kindergarten & Early Learning

Image of Kindergarten graphic that says play, explore and learn The Limestone District School Board is committed to your student’s development from Kindergarten to graduation. In Limestone Kindergarten classrooms, children are involved in many activities designed to help young learners explore, discover, play and grow. Kindergarten programs across Ontario offer a full day of learning for four and five year olds. We are unique in offering both English and French Immersion programs in both Year 1 (Junior) and Year 2 (Senior) Kindergarten.

Discover Kindergarten in Limestone

Students may start school in September if they turn age four (Year 1 Kindergarten) or age five (Year 2 Kindergarten) by December 31 of that year. Those students who are already enrolled in Year 1 Kindergarten do not register again. We welcome new students looking to begin Year 1 or Year 2 to our schools year-round, but we encourage parents and guardians to pre-register children in February for the upcoming school year.

For more information about what is required at time of registration, visit Register A Student.

Managing your child's stress while they transition to Kindergarten
KFL&A Public Health and Hastings, Prince Edward Public Health created a useful video for parents, caregivers, and families of kindergarten-aged children, particularly as they deal with the transition to school. View the "Let's Go to Kindergarten! Helping Your Child Manage Stress" video here.

NEW TO LIMESTONE? You may find it helpful to first review the instructions on how to register a new student using our ASPEN Online Registration process.

Click here to register your student with the Limestone District School Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which school should my student attend?

To find out which school your student should attend, visit: https://bit.ly/3FImcGH

How many students are in a Kindergarten class?

Class sizes vary from school to school and year to year.  The Ontario Ministry of Education sets the kindergarten class size limit as 29 students.  The average kindergarten class size in the Limestone District School Board is 26 students.

Who are my student’s teachers?

Each kindergarten class of 16 or more students has one Ontario certified teacher and one Registered Early Childhood Educator.  Classes with 15 or less students have one teacher.

Are students in Junior Kindergarten (Year 1) separated from students in Senior Kindergarten (Year 2)?

Year 1 and Year 2 students learn together in a kindergarten class.

My student’s pronouns are they/ them.  Will the school honour this?

Yes. A student’s identity is important. Please be sure to select the appropriate gender identity for your student when you complete the online student registration form. Staff will refer to the student using their preferred name and pronoun.

What does Kindergarten look like in French Immersion?

In Limestone, students can begin French Immersion in Year 1 Kindergarten, Year 2 Kindergarten or Grade 1. The French Immersion program is designed for students of non-French speaking parents and guardians.  There is nothing extra that you need to do to prepare your student for French Immersion.  All students are welcome!

Can my student attend Kindergarten if they are not toilet trained?

Yes.  Toileting can be an issue for a brief period of time at the start of the year for some students, especially if it is their first time away from home. Our priority is to respect the student and to help support their learning. Please discuss toileting with your educator team. Please help your student practise dressing and undressing independently and appropriate bathroom hygiene. Providing an extra change of clothes is helpful for every student in case of accidents. 

Will my student have to wear a mask at school?

Public Health has removed the mandatory masking for Kinder students which was implemented in December. Masking for Kinder students will now revert back to what was in place based on the August 2020 motion from trustees, which stated that masking would be highly encouraged and supported by staff, including potential alternatives like face shields. Staff will continue to support working toward compliance, but no disciplinary action would be taken for those having difficulty complying.

The government is providing schools with supplies of three-ply cloth masks for students who wish to use them. Schools also have surgical masks for students who are without masks or whose masks become soiled during the day. Families are responsible for providing students with cloth or non-surgical masks for use at school.

We work closely with our partners at KFL&A Public Health and follow provincial health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information on protocols can be found here: https://bit.ly/3fC5C0v

What are Nutrition Breaks?

Nutrition Breaks are part of a Balanced Day school schedule.  The break includes eating time and recess time (i.e. 20 minutes of eating time and 20 minutes of recess time). It is a good idea to practise opening and closing lunch and snack containers with your student prior to the start of school.

My student finds new situations stressful (i.e. reacts by crying, getting upset).  How will the school support my student? 

Staff are available to support your student. The school will want to know what upsets your student and what strategies are used to help them feel better. Please be sure to discuss this with the educators.

When can I expect to hear from my student’s school about their class placement and educator team?

Schools will communicate with families about the student’s class placement and other kindergarten information near the end of August prior to the start of school. 

What if my student has special education needs?

If your student has special education needs and will be entering school for the first time, please call your local school and set up an appointment with the principal. At this meeting you may also meet an educator from Limestone’s Educational Services team. By working together, we can determine the supports and resources your child will need for a successful transition to school.

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