The Countdown to Kindergarten is on
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Is your child turning 5 before September 30?
Don’t Delay, Enroll Today! The kickoff for kindergarten registration began April 17. This page contains registration information for Hampton Roads, Western Tidewater and the Eastern Shore. Find the resources you need for your child's school district.
1. Ready – How to prepare your child for kindergarten
Help your child get ready for school
Children start learning as soon as they’re born and YOU are your child’s first and most important teacher – a role you will play all of their life.
Check out The Basics Hampton Roads to learn about healthy brain development.
Here are some teachable moments you can use to prepare your child for school every day.
- Read and look at books every day
- Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time
- Practice counting real objects like cereal or crayons
- Talk about their feelings and what kindergarten will be like
- Meet and play with other children their age
- Show respect and use good manners
- Find and name letters of the alphabet everywhere you go
- Visit and explore libraries, parks, and museums
- Use scissors to practice cutting and crayons to draw
- Teach them to put their things away make a special place for toys/books
If you suspect your child is delayed in his/her development, contact your school division’s Office of Special Education to inquire about an assessment or contact Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia at 1.800.234.1448 to speak to a specialist in your city.
Remember: On time, all day, every day!
Missed days can cause your child to fall behind. Attending school on a regular basis makes your child feel better about school and themselves.
2. Set – What you’ll need for registration, including where you can get immunizations, physicals or a new birth certificate
Gather the following required documents
A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate.
- Virginia birth certificates are available through the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Virginia Department of Health
- Contact the Vital Records to request certified birth certificates from other states.
Physical exam results dated within one year of the first day of school. Don't have health insurance? Learn more or apply today.
Immunization records signed and dated by a physician. View a birth to age 6 immunization schedule from the CDC. Check out the Virginia Rising Kindergartener Packet for 2024 immunization information
Visit our Immunization Information page to find out more about Kindergarten vaccines and how to find Virginia Vaccine for Children provider.
A proof of address.
- This may include a current utility bill, lease and/or home contract.
- Additional documentation needed for families residing with family or friends. Contact the school for more information.
Custody or court order documentation (if applicable).
Proof of identification for yourself (parent or guardian).
Your school division’s completed registration packet.
- Contact the school your child will attend to request a registration packet.
What if I don’t have all the forms I need? It’s okay, you should still begin the process. Call the school with questions about missing forms.
What if my child is in Head Start or Public Preschool? Contact your child’s new school for registration instructions
Download and print the two-sided checklist (hint: print the 2-sided color document and then cut in half to create half-sheet handouts).
- Kindergarten Registration Checklist in English (Printable)
- Kindergarten Checklist in Haitian (Printable)
- Kindergarten Checklist in Spanish (Printable)
3. Register – Important registration information by city
Register at the school your child will be attending.
Latest news with updates from each city at WAVY.com
Explore registration information specific to your city or county below:
Chesapeake
Welcome to Kindergarten: Full-day Kindergarten
Contact Office of Family and Community Engagement for further information 757.482.5923.
Portsmouth
Contact information
Emily Spong Preschool Center
2200 Piedmont Avenue
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: 757.393.5128 or 757.393.8611
Virginia Beach
Military Family Resources
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Armed Services YMCA: The Armed Services YMCA provides innovative, interactive programs and services designed especially for junior-enlisted service members, their spouses and their children—all who sacrifice so much for us and our country.
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Fleet and Family Programs: FFSC has answers to your questions about parenting, benefits, life skills, military lifestyle challenges, employment, deployment, relocation, personal finance, schools, special needs and much more.
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Military One Source: Military One Source portal is to support and maintain mission readiness for Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force by assisting individuals and families with adaptation to the challenges and demands of military operations and lifestyle using social media tools with one simple click.
Explore military family resources by school district using the accordions below.
Military Resources – Eastern Shore
Military Resources – Hampton Roads
Military Resources – Western Tidewater
Local school districts
Thank you, WHRO, for supporting kindergarten registration in the Southeastern Region.
