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School Age    (4-12)

Going to school. Staying in school. Succeeding in school.

Elementary school is an exciting new phase of your child’s life that will come with new questions, demands, deadlines, and stresses for both you and your child. We’re here to help you find trusted services that will help your child to be successful both in and out of school.


 



 

On this page


London and Middlesex Elementary Schools

School Boards

School Locator

Alternative Education

All About Kindergarten

Full-Day Kindergarten

Registering for Kindergarten

Before- and After- School Programs

School Buses and Transportation

School Nutrition

Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom

English/French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL)

Learning Activities

Mentorship and Mentoring
 
Tutoring and Provincial Assessment Support

Parent Involvement and Volunteering

P.A. Days and School Holidays
 
Safety

Transitioning to Highschool
 
Need More Help?

 

London and Middlesex Elementary Schools


School Boards

In London and Middlesex, the majority of elementary schools are public, and are operated by the following school boards:

Public School Locator
 
The school your child will attend is usually based on where you live.
 
Selecting a school from the Thames Valley District School Board or London District Catholic School Board will be primarily based on the location of your primary residence. Use the following tools to find out which school in your neighbourhood your child will attend:
         

Alternative Elementary Education  

Traditional public elementary school education does not suit every family or child. If you are interested in exploring alternatives, here are some additional elementary school options in London and Middlesex.
 
Home Schooling
Policy/Program Memorandum No. 131 [external link] – Information from the Government of Ontario on procedures and resources for parents who wish to home school their child(ren).
     
Religious/Cultural Elementary Schools
Al-Taqwa Islamic Elementary School
 
Schools for Children with Disabilities

Visit our Specialized Services page for more information about services and resources that can help you and your child.
 
 

All About Kindergarten

Full-Day Kindergarten
Full-day kindergarten is designed to give your child a stronger start in school and in life. Children are involved in a variety of learning opportunities to help them investigate, problem solve, and collaborate, under the guidance of an educator team that includes a teacher and, where applicable, an ECE.[1]

If your child is 4 years old, or will be turning 4 years old by December 31st of the school year, they will be ready to start full-day Junior Kindergarten in the fall.

If your child is 5 years old, or will be turning 5 years old by December 31st of the school year, they will be ready to start full-day Senior Kindergarten in the fall.

For more information about full-day kindergarten, check out these resources from the Ontario Ministry of Education:
 
Full-Day Kindergarten: information for parents, examples of activities in the classroom, and before- and after-school information

A Parent’s Guide to Full-Day Kindergarten: benefits of full-day kindergarten, what your child will learn, and how you can support your child

Full-Day Kindergarten: A Question and Answer Guide for Parents
 

Registering Your Child for Kindergarten

Registration processes and timelines vary with each school board. Visit their individual websites for details.
 
Thames Valley District School Board
Registration Timeline: late January
Registration Information: Kindergarten Registration [external link]

Kindergarten pre-registration is completed online through the website and families can also upload their documentation Once the online pre-registration is completed, the school will verify addresses and documentation. Upon verification, the school will contact the family to confirm their registration and welcome them to the school.

The school will also provide the following resources:
  • Early Years transition information form
  • Parent Portal information sheet
  • Before and After School Child Care registry
  • Family Centre/EarlyOn Child and Family Centre informaiton sheet
Links will be included in the online pre-registration, or a paper copy will be provided if registration is done on paper.

London District Catholic School Board
Registration Timeline: late January/early February
Registration Information: Admissions and Registration [external link]
Kindergarten Information: Kindergarten [external link]

Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
Registration Timeline: Anytime
School and Registration Information: Register Your Child [external link]

Conseil scolaire Viamonde
Registration Timeline: Anytime
Registration Information: School Registration [external link]
Kindergarten Information: Maternelle - Jardin [external link]

Parents and caregivers can access informaiton about registering for kindergarten on the Inscription page of the Viamonde website. This site is available in English and French.
 
 
To help you and your child prepare for full-day kindergarten, visit the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Kindergarten page [external link], which provides answers to all of the common questions that parents/guardians have.
 
 

Before- and After- School Programs


Before- and After- School Child Care are programs, licensed by the Ministry of Education, that operate before- and/or after-school and during non-instructional days, such as professional activity (P.A.) days and school holidays. These programs provide care for children who are kindergarten age up to 12 years old. 

If your child is attending a school from the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence school board, their before- and after-school program is offered by L'Escale. View the school board’s before- and after-school program information for more details. 


If you will require child care before and/or after school, visit your school board’s website or connect with your child’s school directly to see available child care programs.
 
 

School Buses and Transportation


Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services is a non-profit incorporation that operates as the transportation service for the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board serving Elgin, Middlesex, and Oxford counties, and within the City of London. Visit their website http://www.mybigyellowbus.ca/ to find information on school bus eligibility by school board, bus cancellations, and more.

You may also want to consider alternative options to bring your child to school, such as walking or biking when possible. Visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Active Transportation page to learn more.
 
 

School Nutrition


Visit the School Health page from the Middlesex-London Health Unit to learn helpful tricks for preparing a nutritious lunch for your child, such as packing the night before, being conscientious of allergy policies, and involving your child.

Visit our Health and Wellness page to learn more about healthy nutrition for you and your family.
 
 

Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom


English/French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL)

ESL/FSL programs provide language instruction for individuals whose first language is neither English nor French. Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) are federally-funded classes for recent newcomers.

To learn about language supports offered to newcomers through the school boards, visit these pages:
 
 
 
Learning Activities

In the community, there are educational activities happening every day. Here are some of the places you can visit for activities and more information:

EarlyON programs are an initiative of the provincial government and offer free information, programs, and services to all parents and guardians with children from birth to six years of age. At EarlyON programs, offered within the community and local Family Centres, you will be able to:
 
  • join fun activities such as reading, storytelling, sing-alongs and games
 
  • get advice from professionals trained in early childhood development
 
  • find out about other family services in your community
 
  • connect with other families with young children


Family Centres provide a single door to many opportunities available throughout the city that support all children, youth, and families in achieving their full potential. Family Centres connect you with information, programs, and services related to:
 
  • parenting and early learning
 
  • early childhood education
 
  • public health and wellness
 
  • recreation, sports, and leisure
 
If specific programs or services are not offered on-site, Community Connectors and the team within Family Centres will make referrals and connections to meet a family’s interests or needs.
 
London Public Library and Middlesex County Library have programs like Books for Babies and Storytime to help your child develop early literacy skills in a fun way. Find more about the London Public Library or Middlesex County Library here:
 

The City of London Recreation Services department [external link] [external link] provides a wide variety of learning opportunities and activities for all ages.
 

Mentorship and Mentoring
 
Mentoring Programs for Children and Youth provide support and advice to young people through a one-on-one relationship with an adult volunteer. The mentor assists them in overcoming any challenges they may face.
 
Youth Centres offer social and recreational activities, snacks, information and support, and in some cases, counselling for teens.

 
Tutoring and Ontario Student Assessments

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s educational progress, speak with their teacher or contact their school board to determine what tutoring and extra support is available. 

Some Family Centres also offer programming to help your child with their homework. Visit the Family Centre programming calendar and search “homework” to see what’s available now, or contact your local Family Centre’s Community Connector [link to Community Connector page] who can help you to find other tutoring or homework help in your community.

For students from kindergarten to grade 12, the province administers an assessment program through the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). The tests that are administered assess students’ literacy and math skills at key points throughout their education (grades 3, 6, and 9). Visit the Assessments page on the EQAO website to learn more about the assessments, including key dates, examples, and steps your child can take to prepare. 

 

Parent Involvement and Volunteering


All children need support as they progress through their educational journey, and this can come from many places. As a parent/guardian, you can support your child’s learning in many ways. Here are some suggestions from the Ontario Ministry of Education:
 
  • Make learning a regular part of your activities at home. For example, talk with your child about the world around them, play games together, or cook together.
  • Show an interest in your child’s learning. Ask your child about their school day and make school and learning an important part of family conversation.
  • Attend information meetings and other events organized for parents and families. Talk to your child’s teacher or school board to learn about opportunities to get involved.
  • Speak to your child’s educators if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s school experience, including ways that you can support your child at home every day. Your involvement in your child's learning is important at every stage of their education. [2]
 
 

P.A. Days and School Holidays

The Ontario Ministry of Education requires that school boards schedule at least three professional activity (P.A.) days per school calendar year to ensure that Ontario’s teaching profession continues to evolve, thrive, and be recognized for its excellence. [3]
 
Before each school year, P.A. days and school holiday schedules are available to parents so preparations can be made for these days that children will not be attending school.
 
 
Many places offer special programming for children during school breaks, which will provide you with a source of child care if needed, and keep your child engaged in learning activities.
 
If your child is already registered in a Before- and after-school program (School Age Program [external link]), they will be eligible to register for special P.A., March Break, or Summer Programs.
 
For other school break programs happening in London and Middlesex, visit the Family Centre and EarlyON Program Calendar.
 
 

Safety

As your child becomes more independent during their elementary school years, you’ll have new considerations to make in regards to their safety, such as walking to school, Internet safety, and navigating situations with school bullies. Here are some programs and resources to help ensure your child feels safe during their elementary school years.  
 
I’m Home Program [external link] - The I’m Home Program is designed to help children aged 10 to 12, to be safe, when alone at home, before and after school. The program is hosted by the London Children’s Connection in partnership with the London Public Library and is conveniently offered at various neighbourhood libraries.
 
Internet Safety Workshops [external link] - A 2-hour workshop from the London Children’s Connection designed to support parents in safely preparing their children to use the Internet. Parents learn current safety features for computers and trends in children’s online use. Meet other parents, be aware of resources and share ideas on effective communication with your children.
 
School Bus Safety [external link] – Safety tips for first time school bus riders, and elementary school students, shared from mybigyellowbus.ca.
 
Safe Schools – Thames Valley District School Board [external link]– Promotes inclusivity in schools, and violence prevention and intervention.
 
Safe Schools – London District Catholic School Board [external link] – School response to threatening behaviour and concussion protocol.
 
Safety Tips - Conseil scolaire catholique Providence [external link] – Tips for children about how to deal with strangers.
 
For information on social relationships and bullying, visit our Health and Wellness page.
 
 

Transitioning into Highschool


Once your child has completed elementary school, they will need to enroll in secondary school. Visit your child’s school board website to find out which secondary school they will be attending and how to register.
 
In some cases, your child may have the option of choosing which high school to attend. It’s important to consider your child’s strengths and interests while making this decision. You may want to do some research or contact high schools to find out what kind of extracurricular programs are offered, what specific programs they are known for, and how each school ranks [external link] compared to other high schools in your area.


Need More Help?


Community Connectors are fundamental to helping London families get connected to services and supports. In every Family Centre, families are greeted by a knowledgeable, friendly Community Connector who helps them connect seamlessly to more opportunities that help them be successful in all aspects of their lives.
 
Contact or visit a Family Centre to speak with a Community Connector.
 
In Middlesex County, Middlesex County Library Branches act as hubs for accessing information on family-centered supports and services. Library staff are knowledgeable and trusted Community Connectors equipped to help provide families with information on whom and how to connect to service agencies as well as providing access to key resources relevant to the service or support.  

Visit Middlesex Family Connections for more information on how to connect with a Community Connector in Middlesex County.

MLHU Telephone Support for Families
Available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, call 519-663-5317 to speak with a Public Health Nurse from the Middlesex-London Health Unit about questions or concerns about parenting, or caring for your infant or child.
 
Telehealth Ontario
Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In a medical emergency, call 911.

Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000

Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007
 
[1] Ontario Ministry of Education. (2018). Full-Day Kindergarten. Retrieved from: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/whatwillmychildlearnanddo.html
 
[2] Ontario Ministry of Education. (2018). Once School Starts. Retrieved from: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/howcanipreparemychild.html 
 
[3] Ontario Ministry of Education. (2019). Policy/Program Memorandum No. 151: Professional Activity Days Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities. Retrieved from: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/ppm151.pdf