A typical day in Kindergarten at the GECDSB is filled with exciting opportunities for your child to learn, grow, and develop in a supportive and nurturing environment. Each day is designed to help build foundational skills through play-based learning, hands-on activities, and meaningful interactions with both educators and peers.
A full day of Kindergarten includes a balanced schedule with time for structured learning, exploration, and breaks to help children stay engaged and energized. Your child will have time for nutritious snacks and lunch, and may participate in outdoor play, all while being supported by a team of educators who encourage independence and foster a love of learning.
Throughout the day, the Kindergarten educator team works together to create an environment where your child feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive. The transition into school is an exciting step, and we’re here to make it as smooth as possible for both your child and your family!
| What is the schedule for a full day of school? What is the start/end time? |
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School schedules, including bell times, vary by school – each school has their own bell times that are related to bus routes and other considerations. When you register your child at your home school, they will be able to share this timing with you. Please contact your school for additional details on the timing of this event.
The 2024-2025 school year calendars are available on the GECDSB Website. |
| What should be included in a child’s backpack for September? |
| All learning materials required for learning within the classroom will be provided by the school. Families will not be required to send students with notebooks, crayons, or other learning materials. Instead, families may want to prepare a backpack that will include a lunch bag with containers the child can open/close independently and extra clothes when possible. The Kindergarten educator team will share additional information to help prepare your child for September. All schools within the GECDSB are on a balanced day. This includes two longer nutritional breaks twice during the school day. For more information on nutrition breaks (also known as a balanced day), please visit the Windsor-Essex Health Unit for nutritional ideas. Again, each school is unique and would encourage you to speak with the Kindergarten team for more detailed information. |
| Can families remain in the classroom with their child on the first day(s) of school? |
| While we understand that the transition to school for the first time can be an emotional experience for both the family and the child, parents and caregivers, please know that your child will be supported in a safe and nurturing learning environment. The transition to Kindergarten helps to build independence and a trusting bond for your child, which will support overall development and future lifelong learning. |
| Is there snack time for children throughout the day? |
| Students will be provided with snack times throughout the day. However, the schedule is dependent on each individual school. For details specific to your school, please ask your educator team. |
| Will someone help my child eat their lunch? |
| During lunch time routines, students will be accompanied by a lunchroom supervisor. In some cases, the ECE may also be with the students, as well as older student helpers. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to send snacks and lunches in bite sized, pre-portioned amounts in containers their child can open/close independently. While supervision is provided during lunch time routines, independence is the goal for all children. |
| Is there a recycling program for lunch routines? Is there an expectation for lunches to be garbage-free? |
| All schools will have their own approach to lunch and snack routines. We recommend that you redirect this question to your school team who will be able to provide you with specific answers that will best support this question. |
| Are there any restrictions for lunch or snacks that can be sent? |
| All schools in the GECDSB are allergy aware. Some schools/classrooms may have additional restrictions, depending on whether there are medical conditions of anaphylaxis in your child’s class or school. When/if this occurs, information on additional restrictions will be provided by the school prior to your child’s first day of school and as necessary throughout the school year. |
| Will the Kindergarten educators help my child complete daily tasks (i.e., zipping up a winter coat)? |
| The GECDSB recognizes that our youngest learners will enter Kindergarten at different levels of independence. The classroom team will work with students to develop independence in their daily activities. This may include promoting independence with various self-help skills. |
| Are families able to volunteer at the school? |
| Many schools do provide parents/caregivers opportunities to volunteer within the school setting. In order to volunteer, parents/caregivers must provide a valid vulnerable sector criminal reference check. For more information on whether your school will be accepting volunteers, please contact your home school directly. |
| Is it a requirement for a child to be toilet-trained prior to starting Kindergarten? |
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It is not a requirement for your child to be toilet-trained prior to entering Kindergarten. If your child needs assistance with toileting while at school, a team of educators will help to coach your child through that process. Your child’s integrity during toileting routines is our number one priority. For additional support and information with toilet-learning at home, please refer to the City of Windsor Toileting document. |
| Will families be called each time there is a toileting accident at the school? |
| The Kindergarten educator team will assist your child, upholding the integrity of the child. Families may not be called every time their child has a toileting accident at school. |
| What will happen if families are late when picking up their child from school? |
| Student safety is our priority. Students will not be released to anyone other than a designated parent/guardian/caregiver. If families are a few minutes late, the student will be brought to the main office to be supervised. |
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