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Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration

Our Program
Branford Public Schools offers a full day Kindergarten experience at all three elementary schools for eligible 5 year-olds. A child must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2026

Our program fosters a love of learning through play-based exploration, building strong foundations in literacy, math, and social-emotional skills.

Children develop early literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and print concepts through engaging stories, conversations, and hands-on activities. Math instruction, inspired by the Singapore approach, uses manipulatives, games, and real-world problem-solving to build number sense and critical thinking. Students also enjoy art, music, physical education, and library, fostering creativity, global awareness, movement, and a love of learning.

With a focus on joyful, engaging learning, our classrooms support independence, collaboration, and confidence, preparing children for lifelong success.

    • Registration opens Monday, January 26, 2026 and is ongoing
       
    • Kindergarten Age Requirement:  A child must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2026. Note: See age waiver process below.
       
    • If your child is currently enrolled in a Branford Public Schools PreK program and is eligible to enroll in Kindergarten, you DO NOT NEED to re-register your child.  They are automatically rolled up to their next grade level.

      If you have questions regarding this process, please contact the BPS Registrar at Registrar@branfordschools.org.
       
    • The State of Connecticut requires all students entering PreK and Kindergarten to have a current physical examination completed within one year of the start of school and up-to-date immunizations.  Please upload these documents and submit pages 1, 2 & 4 of the Early Childhood Health Assessment Form (CT School Age).

    • Every eligible student registering for Kindergarten has a guaranteed space at the elementary school in your school district.
       
    • Kindergarten classes follow elementary school hours:  8:55am to 3:25pm.
       
    • Kindergarteners take the bus with students from their school in Grades 1-4
       
    • Principals and/or teachers will communicate with individual families about plans for orientation once students are assigned to a classroom.
       
    • Specific questions, concerns, or important information regarding your child should be directed to the principal at your child’s elementary school.

  • Your child is CLEARED to start school when…

    1. The online registration has been approved by the Branford Public Schools Registrar.
    2. The nurse has reviewed and cleared the student’s health records.
    3. Transcripts from prior schools (transferring students only) have been reviewed and a classroom has been secured for the student.
    4. A school staff member has contacted the parents/guardians with the student’s start date.

    Note:  Please do not contact the registrar after registration is complete. Other school-based personnel must clear your child before they may start.

  • Kindergarten Age Waiver Process
    In 2023 legislation was approved changing the age at which children are eligible to begin Kindergarten. The legislation requires all students entering Kindergarten be five years of age on or before September 1st. It also includes a provision allowing parents to submit a written request for early enrollment if students do not meet the new requirement (provided that the child will turn five by December 31). For more information on the waiver process, please click here Kindergarten Age Waiver Process Form.

If your living situation classifies you as homeless, you can still enroll your student for school. Please contact our registration office at registrar@branfordschools.org or (203) 315-6723 so we can assist you.