Early childhood and school years

Child care before school

• The Government of Canada is building a Canada-wide child care system with the provinces. According to ESDC, regulated child care fees fell by at least 50% on average by the end of 2022, moving toward CAD 10 a day on average.
• Licensed spaces often have waiting lists; register early.

Kindergarten

• Part of the formal education system, with its own curriculum, in all 13 provinces and territories (CMEC).
• 8 provinces and territories offer full-day kindergarten for all five-year-olds; 97% of eligible children attend.

School years

• Elementary usually lasts 6 to 8 years; almost 98% of elementary students go on to secondary school (CMEC).
• The elementary curriculum emphasizes language, math, social studies, science, health, physical education and the arts.

Enrolment documents

According to IRCC:

• a birth certificate;
• proof of guardianship or custody;
• proof of residence;
• immunization records.

Children of temporary residents (parents with work or study permits) coming with their parents need a study permit before entering Canada.

School life

• Schools provide textbooks; parents buy other supplies.
• Many schools have a dress code or uniforms.
• Children get to school by school bus, public transit, on foot or by car.
• Tell the school when your child is absent.
• Extracurricular activities, spirit days (such as Orange Shirt Day on September 30, recalling the history of residential schools for Indigenous children) and field trips.
• Schools may close for snowstorms; announcements come from the school, radio and TV.

Note Getting involved in parent activities helps you understand the school and connect with the community.