There are many reasons parents often wait to register their children for kindergarten and one big reason why they shouldn’t. Below are some reasons parents might wait to get it done and answers  to help them get going.

I’m not sure my child will be old enough.

Children must be 5 years old before Aug. 1 to be eligible to enroll for kindergarten.

I didn’t know I needed to register.

Every child who is not enrolled in an SPS preschool program such as Wonder Years, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), ECSE Integrated Classroom, and the Missouri Preschool Program (MPP) needs to enroll. (If your child was in one of these programs, your home school may still require additional paperwork.)

I’m not sure of our neighborhood boundaries. Which school is ours?

Call the SPS Records office at 417-523-0007 or Transportation at 417-523-0500.  You can also view the attendance boundaries online – spsmo.org. Click on the Academics tab > Families > Maps & Boundaries.

I’m waiting. We might move.

Don’t wait. Go ahead and enroll your child in your neighborhood school.  If you do move, your child’s records will be transferred to their new school.

I’m not good with computers.

You don’t need to be. Your school’s secretary has paper copies of the enrollment application.  She will be happy to help you out.

If you do have access to a computer, information can be found on the www.spsmo.org home page scrolling banner. Look for “Kindergarten Registration.”

I’m intimidated by the process. It looks overwhelming.

While the process has several steps, it’s easy to do.

Schedule immunizations. Check with your doctor or call the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. at 417-874-1220.  Immunizations don’t need to be completed before registering your child, but they do need to be completed before the first day of school; Aug.15.

Schedule your child’s kindergarten screening by calling the Office of School Readiness at 417-523-1333. Like immunizations, the screening doesn’t have to be done before registration.

Gather supporting documents. You will need proof of residence (such as a utility bill or lease agreement), your child’s official birth certificate, a copy of your child’s social security card, and your child’s immunization record.

Take the above supporting documents to your child’s school to register.

“If your child is currently enrolled in any SPS pre-k programs as a learner, they don’t need to enroll in kindergarten,” said Missy Riley, director of early childhood. “Students currently enrolled in an SPS preschool program like Early Childhood Special Education, ECSE Integrated Classroom, Missouri Preschool Program and Wonder Years do not need to register for kindergarten or provide the supporting documentation.”

Wait! I have more questions!

SPS staff is happy to help you.  Call your school secretary or the Office of School Readiness at 417-523-1333.

So, what’s the One Big Reason why I should do it now?  Why can’t I just wait until June or July?

The One Big Reason is your child. Schools need to know how many students they are going to have in order to plan for the amount of teachers they need. Waiting could result in larger class sizes.  Registering now benefits everyone, but especially your child.

Want to get your kindergartener learning this summer?

Enroll in Explore. Incoming kindergarteners can attend classes this summer by enrolling in Explore after completing their kindergarten registration.   Learn more about this exciting summer learning opportunity here.