Kindergarten Registration

You are invited to register your child for Kindergarten at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board schools. Students eligible to attend Kindergarten in September 2023 must be turning four years of age by December 31, 2023. Use our school locator tool to find your designated Catholic school in your area.

2023-2024 Registration Information

Online registration for the 2023-2024 school year opens on January 12, 2023. Once you have completed the online registration process, please contact your school to complete your registration.

In accordance with the Durham Catholic District School Board Policy PO428 – Exception to School Attendance Areas, parents and guardians may have a need or legitimate reason for wanting a child to attend a school other than their designated home school. In such cases the online registration will be directed to the school they have chosen.

Admission to an out of boundary school is subject to approval by the designated home school principal and out-of-boundary school principal. The application will initially be processed by the designated home school and then processed by the school requested. Applications will be approved in accordance with Board Policy and where space permits. Please note that the following schools are currently identified as having limited available space for 2023 - 2024:

St. James Catholic School, Ajax
St. Jude Catholic School, Ajax
St. Patrick Catholic School, Ajax
St. Anne Catholic School, Oshawa
St. Christopher Catholic School, Oshawa
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School, Oshawa
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, Whitby
St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School, Whitby

As such, approval for exception to school attendance areas at these schools may be limited. Please note that transportation will not be provided for an-out-of boundary school.

For questions about registration, please email admissions@dcdsb.ca.

We all Belong

We believe that all early learners are competent, capable and curious. This natural curiosity brings them closer to God in wondrous ways. In our Kindergarten classrooms, students are provided opportunities to wonder about their world — the world that God created. Our Kindergarten Religion program entitled, In God’s Image engages our early learners in discovering “traces of God” in their countless day-to-day experiences. Through their energetic play, their original drawings, their endless curiosity and zest for exploration, and their exuberant sense of wonderment, they will discover traces of God.

Special Education

At the Durham Catholic District School Board, our philosophy of inclusion shapes the delivery of our Special Education Programs and Services. We make every effort to fully include all students, regardless of exceptionality, into regular, age-appropriate classrooms.

All educators share in the responsibility of providing an appropriate education for each student in their care. Teachers have access to resource staff within the school and the wider resources of the Student Services department as the need arises. Fundamental to this process is the collaboration among educators and support staff to deliver a variety of services, programs and strategies to achieve measurable and successful outcomes. One of the first steps in supporting a student with special education needs is a School Team Meeting.

The team generally consists of parents, teacher, Program Support teacher, principal and perhaps other Board Student Services staff. This team approach is recognized as a proactive and effective way to understand a student’s needs and determine potential supports. Parents of students who have special needs are encouraged to share this information with the school as soon as possible so that a team meeting can be arranged to ensure a successful transition into the Kindergarten program. Click here for more information on Special Education.

Frequently asked questions

How to register for Kindergarten?

Kindergarten registration opens on January 12, 2023. Follow the steps below to register your child in Kindergarten (Year One).

NOTE: Children currently enrolled in Kindergarten Year One (JK) at one of our schools for 2022-2023 are automatically entered into the Kindergarten Year Two (SK) program.

Step 1

Visit dcdsb.ca and use the school locator tool to find the designated school in your neighbourhood.

Step 2

Click on the Kindergarten registration banner available on the school's website or at dcdsb.ca and enrol your child through the online application process. You can create a new parent account or log into an existing account.

Step 3

Once your online registration is completed, the school will be in contact with you regarding next steps.

At that time, parents and guardians are asked to provide the following documentation to complete their registration:

Proof of age (Baptismal Certificate/Birth Certificate / Birth Registration or Passport);
Proof of Religious Denomination (Baptismal Certificate of child or parent/ guardian); and
Health Records (Immunization, allergies, etc.)

For questions about registration or the application process, email our Admissions department.

If you require assistance or need access to a computer to complete the online registration, then please visit your local library or call your school and our staff will help with your registration or any concerns.

What are the registration requirements?

Families are required to complete the online registration for all new students entering Kindergarten.

Children must be turning 4 years of age by December 31, 2023 to register in Junior Kindergarten and 5 years of age for Senior Kindergarten.

How do I find my local Catholic school?

We invite you to use our school locator tool to find a Durham Catholic school near you.

When should I plan my before and after school child care needs?

We recommend that you plan your child care needs now! Learn more about our Child Care Centre and Before/After school programs. For additional information, email child care programs or call 905-576-6150 ext. 22172.

How do you help children transition into Kindergarten?

Our elementary schools host "Welcome to Kindergarten" sessions during April, May and June of each year. Key information regarding your child's transition into Kindergarten is available on our website.

If your child will be attending Kindergarten in September 2023, we invite you to join us for Navigating Kindergarten, a live virtual parent/guardian series to prepare you and your child for Kindergarten. These sessions will provide tips to ensure a year filled with growth and learning. Each session will be recorded and posted to our website. Please visit our Navigating Kindergarten webpage for further information.

Are there resources available to help parents prepare their child for Kindergarten?

We have compiled resources to assist parents and guardians in supporting their child's transition into Kindergarten. These resources can be found here.