Welcome to Kindergarten

Sending your child to kindergarten is a fun, exciting and scary time. Your child's teacher and school staff will be working diligently to keep your child happy, healthy, safe and eager to learn.

Be willing to ask questions and listen to the answers SPS Teachers provide with an open mind. Because we are all working with the same goal in mind (your child’s education) open and clear communication between all parties is key to your child’s academic success.

parent's guide to kindergarten

Registering for Kindergarten

To enter kindergarten, children must be five on or before September 1 of the school year in which they enroll. It’s recommended that children attend kindergarten one year before entering first grade.

Online enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is now open.

Families may also enroll their students directly at the school at any time prior to the beginning of the school year.

We encourage families to enroll as early as possible to help SPS in our planning and to ensure your family receives all critical information from your designated school in a timely manner.

Kindergartners follow the same schedule as their elementary school. However, they begin the school year on a “staggered start." Once enrolled, you will receive more details as the school year draws closer.

FInd your school

Required Documentation for Enrollment

Proof of the child's age (either a birth certificate or hospital record that shows the date of birth), immunization records, and be ready to provide emergency contact information.
Parent/legal guardian photo ID: Current driver's license or State ID card showing address or passport

Students, whether new or returning, must provide proof of address. This requires the following:

Valid rental/lease agreement, escrow papers or property tax statement
-OR-
Current resident service bill such as electric, water, gas, garbage or cable bill (cell phone or other mail is not sufficient)

Students applying from elsewhere within or outside of our district should pay attention to Transfer Guidelines. Families are encouraged to submit transfer applications during the high priority period in January for the best chance of getting into the desired school.

Visit our Enrollment page

How You Can Help Your Child Learn

General Skills

Help your child learn to sit still and listen quietly.
Converse with them on a daily basis.
Provide opportunities to ask and answer questions.
Count objects together out loud, and point out letters and their sounds.
Help your child learn to write his or her name.
Expose your child to songs, rhymes, and music.
Read to your child every day in their home language.

Body skills

Teach your child to use crayons, pencils, safety scissors and glue.
Teach simple motor skills such as, balancing on one foot and hopping.
Teach your child to button and zip clothing

Independence skills

Encourage your child to be responsible and independent about their hygiene (including management of their own bathroom needs), getting dressed and cleaning up after themselves.
Have your child get used to spending time away from you by visiting with friends or family.

Social skills

Teach common courtesies (such as please and thank you) and social behavior.
Provide opportunities to socialize with other children and learn about sharing and taking turns.
Teach your child to follow simple directions.
Make sure your child can say his or her full name and address.

Get Ready for Kindergarten with KITS

KITS is an early childhood summer program available to Springfield families. Students entering Kindergarten at any of our elementary schools are eligible to attend. This summer program is designed to equip children with the skills needed to successfully begin school. Students are taught pre-reading skills (letter names and sounds), pre-writing skills (how to write their name), and social skills (taking turns, raising their hand, and how not to talk out of turn).

Apply Now

FAQs

When does my child go to school?

Your child will have the same start and end time as the rest of the elementary school and should attend every school day.
If your child is sick (with something more severe than sniffles), they should stay home to avoid passing the illness along to their classmates. In these cases, please also call your school’s office to let them know your child will not be in attendance.

How can my child get to school?

Kinders who live more than one mile from their school may take a bus. Parents will need to register with District Transportation and will receive your bus route before school starts. Kinders can ride in the front of the bus and will be dropped at their bus stops at the end of the day only if they are greeted by an authorized adult or accompanied by an authorized older sibling (3rd grade or older).

If your child attends a daycare, please have the provider greet the child at the bus stop.

If your child lives close enough to not need the bus, there are designated Safe Routes to School. You child can walk with a group or carpool with other families.

No matter the route, a kinder must arrive to school accompanied by an adult.

What meal options does my child have?

What will they be learning?

Kindergarten will provide a fun and engaging experience for your child to learn valuable social skills and implement important foundations for future learning. Your child will be learning through discovery, exploration and active learning.

Remember that you are your child’s first teacher. There are many things you can help your child learn to help them have a great start to their first year of education!

Join Us for Kindergarten Welcome Night

Incoming SPS kindergartners and their families are invited to see their school, meet staff, and get prepared and excited for this important first step in their academic career!

Kindergarten Welcome Nights will be held at each school during the first two weeks of May.

Find your neighborhood school's Kindergarten Welcome Night in the SPS Events Calendar.