The countdown to kindergarten is on
.jpg)
Don’t Delay, Enroll Today!
The kickoff for kindergarten registration begins 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 Recordsl 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. Find immunization by city below.
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 a PDF of this checklist (Spanish and English versions linked below):
Kindergarten Registration checklist - English
Kindergarten Registration checklist - Spanish
Immunization information
Immunization information:
Chesapeake Health Department
748 Battlefield Blvd N.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
For questions and/or to schedule an appointment, please call 757.382.8631
Immunization Clinic Hours: By appointment only
Physical examinations required for Kindergarten entry into the Chesapeake City School system are provided at no cost to uninsured residents of the city of Chesapeake by appointment and provider availability.
Visit the Chesapeake Health Department's Health Services page to learn more.
All private, Medicaid and/or FAMIS insurance are not eligible for this program.
Physicals and immunization information:
Hampton Roads Community Health Center
Phone: 757.393.6363
Immunization Information for Norfolk Public Health Department:
- South Hampton Clinic 830 Southhampton Ave. #200, Norfolk, VA 23505 757.683.2735
- Little Creek Clinic 207 East Little Creek Road Norfolk, VA 23505 757.683.2735 (by appointment)
For more information or questions, please call 757.683.2735. See Clinic Hours tab for information on hours and services offered at each location.
Physicals and immunizations:
Hampton Roads Community Health Center
By appointment only: 757.393.6363
- Park Place Family Medical Center: 3415 Granby St. Norfolk, VA
- East Ocean View Medical Center: 9581 Shore Dr., Norfolk, VA
- Communicare Family Health Center: 804 Whitaker Ln., Norfolk, VA
Immunization information:
Portsmouth Health Department
1701 High Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Main Office Phone: 757.393.8585
Routine immunizations are by appointment for infants, children, teens, and adults. Please bring all immunization records with you and present them at the time of registration.
Phone: 757.393.8585 (extension 8512)
View the appointment schedule
Physicals and immunization information:
Portsmouth Community Health Center
664 Lincoln St.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
By appointment only: 757.393.6363
Immunization information:
Suffolk Health Department
135 Hall Avenue
Suffolk, VA 23434
757.514.4700
Physicals and immunization information: 757.393.6363
Immunization information:
Virginia Beach Department of Public Health
4452 Corporation Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Back to School Immunizations and physicals are by appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 757.518.2700 (press 1 for clinic, then 0 for operator).
Download the Back To School Immunization and Physicals flyer
Please bring the following items to your immunization appointment:
- Shot Record
- Picture ID for adult authorizing services
- Health Insurance Information
Physicals and immunization information:
Hampton Roads Community Health Center
Phone: 757.393.6363
3. Register – Important registration information by city
Register at the school your child will be attending.
Find registration information by city below. Check out the latest news with updates from each city at WAVY.com.
Chesapeake
Contact Chesapeake RU Ready or call 757.382.2226 for event information.
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
Military family resources
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hampton Roads.
