Kindergarten Registration FAQs
Questions and Answers
1. When can children begin kindergarten?
A child must be five years old on or before September 30 of the upcoming school year to enroll in kindergarten.
2. How do I register my child for kindergarten?
Drop by the school between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Even if you do not have all of the required documents, bring in what you do have and get the process started. Parents are encouraged to register their student well before school starts so the child and the school have time to prepare for the new school year.
Click here to preview a SAMPLE of the required Student Registration form.
*NOTE: The SAMPLE FORM above provides a preview of the information required for student registration. DO NOT COMPLETE THIS SAMPLE FORM. You must obtain an official copy of the Registration Form from a school office.
3. We may move to another City neighborhood over the summer. Should we just wait to register at that school?
No. We recommend that you register your child at the school where you currently live. If or when you move, you can ask the secretary at the new school to request the registration information from the school where you originally registered. Do this as soon as you move to prevent delay in your child entering kindergarten.
4. What do I need to register my child for kindergarten?
The following documentation is required:
- a certified birth certificate for the child;
- the child’s social security card;
- proof of City residency which can be:
- a copy of either a mortgage, lease or real estate tax statement for your principal residence in Charlottesville city or…
- if you do not have a mortgage, lease or tax statement, you must provide both of the following: a valid driver’s license or government issued photo identification with a Charlottesville city address and a current utility bill (electric, gas, water/sewer);
- a copy of a comprehensive physical examination by a qualified, licensed physician within 12 months prior to the date the child begins school; and
- evidence of immunizations as required by Virginia law.
Immunizations are required for:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (DPT) - 3 doses with one after the child’s 4th birthday;
- Polio - 3 doses with one after the child’s 4th birthday;
- Mumps;
- Measles (rubeola) - 2 doses, one after 12 months, the second prior to entering kindergarten;
- German measles (rubella);
- Hepatitis B (HBV) for children born on or after Jan. 1, 1994 - 3 doses; and
- Varicella (Chicken Pox) - Required for all children not previously diagnosed as having had Varicella (Chicken Pox)
To prevent delay of your child starting kindergarten on time, have your doctor complete Part II and Part III of the Virginia School Entrance Health Form; and be sure the doctor signs it.
You need to complete Part I of the Virginia School Entrance Health Form.
If you can’t get a complete shot record, your child will have to have the missing shots over again. To obtain the shot record, you must call each place where your child was given the shot.
5. My child is five, but is not ready for kindergarten yet. Do I have to enroll my child this year?
No. Your child’s attendance may be delayed for a year if you notify the Superintendent in writing that your child is not ready to attend school. However, a child who will be six on or before September 30 must attend school. The school division will assess whether your child, whose attendance has been delayed, should be placed in kindergarten or first grade.
6. My child just misses the deadline for enrollment in kindergarten by a few days. Is there a waiver of the age requirement?
No. There is no waiver of the age requirement.
7. Since my child just misses the deadline for enrollment, is there a public school prekindergarten program which my child can attend?
There is no public preschool program that automatically accepts every student. However, there is a preschool program for children who are four years old by September 30 of the school year whose family qualifies for free or reduced meals and has other stressors.
If you think your child might qualify for that program, you can complete an application at any elementary school, call 245-2813 to request an application, or download the application for CCS Preschool Programs.
If you do not believe your child will qualify, you can call the Child Care Office of Children, Youth and Family Services at 296-4118 to find out about other preschool and child care options in the community.
8. My child was in the city preschool program for four-year-old children last year. Do I need to register him again?
Yes. You need to register again because your child needs another physical prior to entry into kindergarten. If you currently live in a different school attendance zone from the school where your child attended last year, let the secretary know and she will request the registration information from the former school secretary. Also, this will clear up any confusion as to where your child will attend kindergarten.
9. I work from 7:30 a.m. and until 5:30 p.m. is there a before and after school child care program at my child’s school?
Yes.There is a child care program called Creative Learning After School and in the Summer or CLASS. Ask about it when you register or call the c.l.a.s.s. office 245 - 2501. Fees are determined by a sliding scale. Spaces fill up quickly.
10. Will my child have to attend kindergarten all day?
The standard kindergarten day is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are concerned about the length of the day for your child, discuss your concerns with the Principal at the elementary school.
11. My child’s grandmother takes care of him after school but she lives on the other side of town. Will the school bus stop in front of her house?
There are standard bus stops within each elementary school attendance zone with approximate times of pickup and drop off of elementary students. If your child care arrangements are not within the same school attendance zone, you will need to make other transportation arrangements or look for child care within your same school attendance zone.
12. I am separated from my spouse and I don't want him/her to visit or pick up my child. Will you make sure that doesn't happen?
Anyone other than the natural parent of a child must provide legal guardianship papers when enrolling a child in school. If your spouse is the natural parent of your child and you do not have legal papers showing court ordered arrangements, we must, by law, allow the parent to see the child.
13. When is the first day of kindergarten and when will we learn who our kindergarten teacher is?
You will receive a letter in the mail in early August from your child’s school stating who your child’s teacher will be.
14. How will I know where and when to wait for the school bus?
When you receive your letter about when kindergarten begins, you also will receive a listing of standard bus stops and approximate times for pickup and drop off of students. A responsible adult should be there with your child at least 15 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive in the morning and the afternoon. Be sure to make back up plans with your child on where he needs to go if you are not there.