Preschool And Kindergarten Registration Updates

Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the State of Connecticut Law requires that children must turn five (5) years of age on or before September 1 to be eligible for kindergarten registration. Previously, the eligibility cut-off date for turning five (5) years of age for kindergarten enrollment was January 1. In response to this recent change in legislation, Plainville Community Schools has developed updated processes for both kindergarten and preschool registration as follows:
Kindergarten Eligibility:
● For Students NOT Currently Enrolled in Plainville Community Schools Preschool:
o Children who will turn five (5) years of age on or before September 1, 2024 should register for kindergarten.

o Children who will turn five (5) years of age between September 2, 2024 and December 31, 2024 are anticipated to attend a preschool program.

o Children who will turn five (5) years of age between September 2, 2024 and December 31, 2024 and wish to request admittance into kindergarten may submit a written letter requesting a waiver to attend kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year as soon as possible but no later than April 3rd, 2024. Written requests should include your child’s name, date of birth, parent name, address, phone number and rationale for requesting the age waiver. Requests should be sent by email to [email protected] or by mail to:
Dr. Tawana Graham-Douglas, Director of Curriculum
1 Central Square
Plainville, CT 06062
o Families requesting a waiver will be contacted by a member of the District Early Childhood Team with directions on how to complete two Ages and Stages questionnaires via the Sparkler app which will need to be submitted no later than April 5th, 2024. Parents will be notified about their request by April 19, 2024.
● For Students Enrolled in Plainville Community Schools Preschool:

o Students currently enrolled in the PCS Preschool program who will turn five (5) years of age on or before September 1, 2024 will automatically be enrolled in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. No further action is required.

o Families of children currently enrolled in the Plainville Community Schools Preschool Program who will turn five (5) years of age between September 2, 2024 and December 31, 2024 will need to complete a special online registration form. Specific information will be provided directly to those families.
Preschool Eligibility:
o Children who will turn four (4) years of age on or before September 1, 2024 may register for preschool.

o Preschool class placement is on a first-come, first-served basis. If the preschool program reaches capacity, children will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which fully completed registrations are submitted. Students on the waiting list may be offered a seat at a different school from their geographic “home school” and will need to provide their own transportation if they accept that seat. Preschool transportation guidelines follow the district’s transportation guidelines for elementary schools.

o Children who will turn four (4) years of age between September 2, 2024 and December 31, 2024 will not be eligible for participation in the Plainville Community Schools Preschool Program until the 2025-2026 School year.

For the 2025-2026 School Year and Beyond:
● Children must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1 to be eligible to begin kindergarten that school year. For families who feel their student is ready for kindergarten, a waiver for the age requirement must be submitted in writing. Once the written request is received, the district will contact the family to schedule an assessment for the student to determine readiness for kindergarten.

● Children must be four (4) years of age on or before September 1 to be eligible to begin preschool that school year.

Registration for preschool and kindergarten will begin on Monday, February 5, 2024.
To begin the registration process for all grades, preschool through 12, contact the Central Registration Office at 860-793-6301, option 3.

There will be a virtual meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 7:00PM (meeting link will be available on the school district website home page at: www.plainvilleschools.org). The meeting will include a brief presentation and an opportunity to ask questions about the above mentioned changes to the kindergarten and preschool registration process and protocols. The meeting will also be recorded and posted to the school district website for those unable to participate.

“We are committed to having a seamless transition for our families to register for kindergarten,” said Superintendent of Schools, Brian Reas.