Hard to believe but it is that time of year again when we start thinking about fall school enrollment and particularly kindergarten registration.

Kindergarten registration for the 2022 /2023 school year opens up on January 24 for all schools under the Rocky View Schools (RVS) division.

In a letter from RVS Superintendant of Schools, Greg Luterbach acknowledges that the pandemic has created challenges for many families to access programs for young children, making kindergarten enrollment especially important this time around.

He says that the start of Kindergarten is an important milestone for many on their educational journey and "ensuring each child makes a successful transition from home to school is a goal for parents and teachers."

Last year the province implemented changes to age criteria for kindergarten enrollment. There used to be some flexibility on the age for the cutoff, but now according to the new standardized age of entry, students will need to turn five years old by December 31 of the school year they begin Kindergarten.

Rocky View Schools offers a half-day Kindergarten program in most schools, however, select schools have a full-day Kindergarten program on alternating days.

Luterbach says that later in the spring, children will be placed in morning or afternoon programs based on available space and circumstances outlined by parents.

Registration is ongoing, but RVS recommends registering early, stating that the sooner it's done, the more helpful it is to plan for the upcoming year.

New parents to Rocky View schools will need to create a new account via SchoolEngage and current parents can register a new kindergarten child in your family, by clicking on the Parent Portal.

Luterbach goes on to say that along with supporting the establishment of foundational early literacy and math skills, Kindergarten offers opportunities for students to develop social and problem-solving skills and it also helps them to develop positive attitudes and behaviours towards school and learning as a whole.