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Kindergarten Program

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) kindergarten program is a child-centred, developmentally appropriate, integrated program of learning for four- and five-year-old children. It is designed as a continuum of learning from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

The purpose of the program is to establish a strong foundation for learning in the early years, and to do so in a safe and caring, play-based environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all children.

The Kindergarten program is based on educational policy and expectations as outlined in the Ministry of Education’s The Kindergarten Program.

Program Goals

The primary goals of the Kindergarten program are to:

  • Establish a strong foundation for learning in the early years.

  • Help children make a smooth transition from home, child care, or preschool settings to school settings.

  • Allow children to reap the many proven benefits of learning through relationships, and through play and inquiry.

  • Set children on a path of lifelong learning and nurture competencies that they will need to thrive in the world of today and tomorrow.

In the Kindergarten program, four "frames" or broad areas of learning are:

The four Kindergarten frames reflect the integrated way in which learning occurs during children's play and inquiry in Kindergarten, and they grow out of the four foundations for learning and development found in the "How Does Learning Happen?" document. Refer to the Kindergarten Addendum for more information.

French Immersion Kindergarten

French Immersion is offered from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Students learn French as a subject, and French also serves as the language of instruction in most other subjects.

  • From Kindergarten to Grade 4, students will receive approximately 75% of their instruction in French.

  • From Grade 5 to Grade 8, students will receive approximately 50% of their instruction in French.

French Instructional time may vary to address the local school’s needs, particularly in combined grades.

The following schools provide French Immersion programs for the 2022-2023 school year:

Program Registration

Registering for kindergarten takes a few simple steps. Visit our kindergarten registration page for key dates, eligibility and other information.

Program Locations

Use our school locator application to find your community schools.