The Top Kindergarten Questions To Ask Before You Enroll Your Child

What do you need to know about kindergarten? This is your first child's first time in school. From kindergarten enrollment to the curriculum and classroom content, take a look at the top questions you need to ask a teacher, the principal, or another staff member at your five- or six-year-old's future elementary school.

When Should You Enroll Your Child?

This question may have two different types of meanings or answers. Some parents may need to know the school's kindergarten enrollment time frame. This is the first day you can enroll your child in school for the next academic year. The enrollment period may also have an end date. This date helps the school to effectively and efficiently organize the students into classrooms. If you will move mid-year and your child will transfer into kindergarten after school begins, this time frame won't apply. 

Another date-related question to ask involves the school's age or birth date cut-off. This is the minimum age for school entry. Each state has its own compulsory school attendance laws for minimum and maximum age limits. Along with the state's requirements, your district may have an additional or specific cut-off date. This should fall within the state's guidelines for age but may include a specific date (such as September 1).

What Time Does School Start and End?

Now that you know more about enrollment, it's time to move on to the school day. The first start/stop time question you need to ask is about the total day length. Is kindergarten a half-day class or will your child go to school for full days? The answer to this question and to one about the specific drop-off and pick-up times can help you to plan your work schedule, carpool, or other weekday activities. 

When Does School Start and End?

This question is different from the daily start and stop times. Not only do you need to know whether your child will attend half or full-day school and the expected drop-off and pick-up times, but you also need an elementary school calendar. This calendar should include the first day of school, the last day of school, inclement weather make-up days (some schools may add these on to the end of the academic year), holidays, teacher's conferences, in-service days, and special events. 

What Do the Kindergartners Learn?

Ask the classroom teacher or principal about the overall school curriculum. This can help you to understand the grade-level expectations for learning and development. The teacher may also provide information on or examples of specific classroom lessons and activities.