Pre-primary FAQ: General Program Information

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Can my child attend Pre-primary Program for 2 years?

The intention of Pre-primary is that children attend for one year only and then move with their peers to Grade Primary.

If there is a request for a second year, it will be discussed on a case by case basis.

Does my child have to attend the Pre-primary Program in my catchment area?

Children will attend the Pre-primary Program for the school in their neighbourhood/catchment area. Out of catchment requests are considered at a Regional level.

Please contact your school directly for further information on out of catchment opportunities.

I plan on enrolling my child into the French immersion program which is out of catchment, can they attend the out of catchment school for Pre-primary?

Out of catchment requests are considered at a Regional level.

Please contact your school directly for further information on out of catchment opportunities.

Is bussing available for Pre-primary Program?

Bussing will be available for all pre-primary children who meet the regional bussing eligibility criteria for the school they will be attending.

Families are encouraged to connect with their school around bussing options for their child(ren).

Is the program mandatory or voluntary?

The program is voluntary. Families choose whether to enroll their child in the program.

The Pre-primary Program is not required to enter Grade Primary.

Is there a cost?

No. The Pre-primary Program is free to all children and families who meet the eligibility requirements (will be at least four years old by December 31 and live in the catchment area of the school offering the Pre-primary Program).

My child is turning five, but I plan to start them in grade Primary at the age of six. Are they still eligible?

Yes. Children who will be five years old on or before December 31 of the year they enroll are eligible to attend the Pre-primary Program before going to Primary.

Our neighbourhood school and the designated Early French Immersion school both offer the Pre-primary Program. I want to register my child for Pre-primary at the designated Early French Immersion school as that is the school my child will attend for Early French Immersion in grade Primary. Why can’t I register my child for the Pre-primary Program at the designated Early French Immersion school?

Early French Immersion is a public-school program that begins in Grade Primary. Families make the choice to send their child to Early French Immersion in Primary.

The Pre-primary Program is delivered at the neighbourhood or catchment school level. Eligibility for registration is based on catchment or neighbourhood school. Children attend the Pre-primary Program at the school identified as their neighbourhood or catchment school by the Regional Centre for Education or the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and not the designated Early French Immersion school.

In some cases, a family’s neighbourhood or catchment school and the designated early French Immersion school are one in the same.

The Pre-primary Program is still not at all schools – can I attend the neighboring school?

Currently, children must live in the school community where Pre-primary is offered to be eligible to attend. Upon review, the regional centre for education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial may announce an out of catchment registration for specific schools at a later date.

When can I register for the Pre-primary Program?

Registration information will be posted on your regional centre for education website, but it is expected to start soon.

When will the Pre-primary Program start?

The official start date will be determined by the regional centre for education but it will be around the first day of school.  Some sites may choose to stagger the start dates having the pre-primary children start a day or 2 before or after the other children. 

When, where and how, can I register my child for the pre-primary program in my area?

Please visit your Regional Centre for Education or Conseil scolaire acadien provincial website for instructions on where, when and how to register in your area.

Where can I find the list of schools offering the Pre-primary Program for the 2020-21 school year?

As of September 2020, the Pre-primary Program will be fully implemented throughout Nova Scotia.

All children who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to access a Pre-primary Program.

The full list of schools offering the program for 2020-21 can be found the your Regional Centre for Education or the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial website.

Who is eligible to attend the Pre-primary Program?

Children must be at least four years of age on or before December 31 of the year they enroll.

Children must live within the catchment area, as defined by the Regional Centre for Education or the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, of a school where they wish to attend the Pre-primary Program.

Will there be a French immersion Pre-primary Program?
French immersion is not available in the Pre-primary Program. Early French immersion is a public-school program that begins in Primary.
Will there be before and/or after care? Who arranges it?

Families are responsible for arranging before and after care, and any related costs.

Some schools have the Nova Scotia Before and After Program (NSBAP), for further information on that program, families can reach out to their Early Childhood Educators.

For more information on the NSBAP program, please visit the following website: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/bap