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Schools, Choices, And Children: Picking Your Kid's School

When the time came to choose a school for my children, I was overwhelmed by all of the choices. From public school to private school, with charter schools and cyber schools as well, I had no idea where to start. I finally jumped into the research with precision focus so that I could fully understand the choices. My research was exhaustive, and there was no single source to find all of the details in one place. I created this site to build just that. I hope that the information here helps you to find the school that's right for your child.

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Schools, Choices, And Children: Picking Your Kid's School

The Do's And Don'ts Of Kindergarten Enrollment

by Nevaeh Watkins

What do you need to know about kindergarten enrollment? If your preschooler is ready for the next step, take a look at the do's and don'ts of the registration process.

Do Ask About Age

Most districts have age cutoff dates for entry. These dates govern the minimum age for a child to start a kindergarten program. If your child has a summer birthday or is on the border of the cutoff date, talk to the school's staff about your options.

While red shirting (holding children back an extra year) is a popular practice with many parents, it's not always right for every child. Your young five-year-old may need the extra time to develop and mature, or they may fit in with the slightly older kids in their class. Factors such as self-control, self-help skills, social skills, cognitive abilities, personality/temperament, and behavior should all influence your decision.

Don't Forget About the Forms

After you confirm that your child meets age guidelines to start school in the fall, it's time to move on to the clerical tasks. Each school district has its own registration or enrollment forms. While these may vary by district, it's likely they'll include emergency contact, proof of address, physical assessment, and immunization forms.

If you're not sure what forms or documentation you need to provide, ask the school staff as soon as possible.

Do Pay Attention to Enrollment Dates

When does registration open and when does it end? In most cases, you can register your child after the close of enrollment date — provided you have a legitimate reason (such as you just moved to the district or you had readiness issues).

The earlier you register your child, the easier it is to make sure you have forms and anything else you need for your child to start school complete. This could include a doctor's health assessment, testing, or additional vaccinations.

Don't Skip the School Visit

Does the school encourage parents to bring their children to registration? Classroom visits, school tours, and similar activities gives your child the chance to learn more about what they'll do next year and feel more comfortable about starting school. If possible, ask if your child can talk to their teacher or watch a few minutes of a class.

Demystify the kindergarten enrollment process in a few easy steps. From asking about your child's age (and age-related regulations) to filling out forms and visiting the school, you can ease this transition and make it more enjoyable for everyone.

For more information, speak to companies like Triple R Child Care.

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