Navigating kindergarten: What to know as your child prepares for elementary school

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

By Jenni Struck, admissions director for Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools

Is your eldest child celebrating a fifth birthday this year? If so, it’s time to think about kindergarten! Starting the kindergarten journey feels like opening the first page of a brand-new book – so many possibilities, a little mystery and a whole lot of excitement! If this is new parenting territory for you, we’re here to provide you insight into navigating the process of starting school.

Where to begin

In South Dakota, a child who turns 5 on or before Sept. 1 is eligible to attend kindergarten. If your child is academically, socially and emotionally ready to start kindergarten, now is the time to consider your options for school.

What’s next

Perhaps one of the biggest parenting decisions you will make is choosing the right school for your child.

There are many school options in our community. If you are seeking a private/parochial school, you can choose the school that best fits your family’s desires and your child’s unique needs. If you are choosing a public school for your child, your address determines which public school your child will attend. Alternatively, some families prefer a homeschooling option.

Here are a few key considerations when making your decision:

Transportation
How will your child get to and from school? Public schools provide limited busing services. Most private/parochial schools require parent transportation. If you have to provide transportation, carpooling with friends or neighbors can make daily commutes more manageable.

Lunch

Will your child bring lunch from home or participate in a hot-lunch program? Most schools offer a hot-lunch program and may qualify for reduced-cost or free meals through the national school lunch program. To see if your child qualifies, there is an application – provided by the school – to fill out annually. The full cost of a daily school lunch is usually $3 to $4. If your child has food allergies or intolerances, be sure to ask how the school accommodates those needs.

Immunizations
Make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date! Plan ahead to schedule a doctor’s visit for your child to receive the required immunizations before starting school.

Daily schedule

What are the school’s hours? When can your child arrive, and when do they need to be picked up? If you are a working parent, you will want to know about after-school care options. Does the school provide an on-site program? Ask about availability, hours, associated costs and how staff are selected for these programs.

School supplies

Back-to-school shopping seems to be a rite of passage. Most supply lists can be found on school websites or at local retailers. Be sure to ask about any specific school dress code that is required before purchasing school clothes. Uniforms can be a less-expensive option and a less-stressful morning routine in the long run.

Holiday and vacation coverage
Now that your child is no longer attending day care, you will need to consider care for your child on school vacation days and holiday breaks. Be sure to review the school calendar, and plan ahead for needed time off or alternate care.

How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?

While you might associate kindergarten with the beginning of your child’s formal education, he or she has been learning and establishing a foundation of life and academic skills long before you purchased that princess backpack or superhero lunchbox. Opportunities to expose your child to concepts that will help him or her succeed in school are all around you and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Click here to view the article by our teachers on preparing your child for kindergarten!

If you are interested in exploring Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools for kindergarten, click here to learn more, or contact our admissions department at [email protected].