Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Everyone is welcome here!

Will your child be 4 years old by December 31, 2023?

Register for Kindergarten at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, where every child is welcome - regardless of faith, race, language, gender or background.

There is a school near you. The OCDSB is the largest school board in Eastern Ontario, with 113 elementary schools in neighbourhoods, and online, from Woodlawn to North Gower to Navan and all across Ottawa. 

Kindergarten at the OCDSB is a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment where children learn to explore the world, solve problems and make friends. We offer:

• A full-day, two-year, fully bilingual program with 50% English instruction and 50% French instruction;
• An emphasis on dynamic, play-based learning for a fun way to help children learn and discover; and
• A caring team of educators with each class having a teacher and early childhood educators.
• Extended Day Programs that provide your child with the opportunity to participate in activities that complement what happens during the regular school day. Learn more

What next?

1. Attend a Parent Information Session  
2. Register  
3. Prepare for Kindergarten

1. Parent Information Sessions

Your local school will be holding a parent information session. You will know more about our Kindergarten program, meet the principal and staff and get useful tips to help your child prepare for Kindergarten. To know about the time and date of the school near you, visit OCDSB’s Kindergarten Parent Information Nights webpage or the school website.

2. Register

Registration for Kindergarten is an easy three-step process. 

Find your School >> Complete the Registration forms >> Collect Documents. 

For detailed information, including the immunization requirements, visit ocdsb.ca/register.

3. Prepare for Kindergarten

Starting Kindergarten is an exciting adventure for children and their families. But beginning something new can also cause big feelings. Your child might be excited, nervous, scared, curious, or even shy.

Some strategies that help prepare you and your child include…

• Talk with your child about their feelings
• Recognize your own feelings around this milestone and share them with friends and family
• Attend, virtually or in-person, the “Welcome to Kindergarten” opportunities at your child’s school
• Visit the school and the playground 
• If your child takes the bus, attend the OSTA orientation day

For more information, visit our website.

Registration is now open for Kindergarten 2023. It’s easy to register. Visit our Kindergarten Registration page to register online anytime.

To know about the time and date of your school’s Information Session, visit OCDSB’s Kindergarten Parent Information Session webpage or the school website.