Transition to Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an exciting and important milestone in your child’s education. To help make the move to the public school system easier, you must first register your child with your local school. You can also help your child feel confident and supported for this transition with some practical tips.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten

The universal pre-kindergarten program is an optional play-based program for all Island children who will enter kindergarten the following year. It supports your child’s development and makes the transition to the public school system easier.

Through play, your child will work on social skills, creativity, language development, problem solving, motor skills and general knowledge, helping them adjust to kindergarten smoothly.

This program is 15 hours per week, offered at Early Childhood Centres and follows  PEI Early Learning Framework. Each child will have a Child Profile to track their growth and progress as they transition to school, which is shared with parents, educators, and kindergarten teachers. A copy is also kept in the child’s centre file.

How to register your child for pre-kindergarten?

If your child is already attending a licensed early childhood centre: Children already attending a licensed early childhood centre will move into pre-kindergarten in September, the year prior to entering kindergarten. Parents only pay a portion of their regular daily rate.

If your child is not enrolled with a licensed centre: Although pre-kindergarten is free and offered for any eligible child in PEI, families need to complete the registration process and then contact the centre(s) directly.

Children must be at least four years old on or before December 31 of the year they start in the pre-kindergarten program.

Kindergarten Registration

Children turning five years old by December 31 the same year they are to begin kindergarten can register at their local English or French public school.

If you are unsure of their local school, you can contact either la Commission scolaire de langue française or the Public Schools Branch to find out.

Learn more about registering your child in Island schools.

How do I support my child going into kindergarten?

Getting ready to start Kindergarten is a big change for everyone in the family. Here are some tips to help with this transition. These ideas can be practiced at home, at the grocery store, in the backyard or anywhere to make the transition fun and help your kindergartener feel more independent and confident. 

Supporting resources to help ease the transition to kindergarten

Learning Through Play Newsletter

Additional Resources

  • Family Resource Centres offer programs and resources for children and families. These include parent education and support groups, parent resources, prenatal nutrition programs, drop-in play, toy-lending libraries, and outreach for smaller Island communities.

  • PEI Public Library Services offers a variety of programs for children of all ages to promote literacy, learning, and social interactions. Visit Public Library Events to discover programs available at your local library.

  • PEI Literacy Alliance: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a free book gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in young children.

  • The Province of Prince Edward Island is working strategically to increase capacity in the early learning and child care sector. Information on space creation can be found here: Early Learning and Child Care Space Creation Progress