Incoming Kindergartener - Parent Resources
Get to Know Kindergarten
Whether this is your first student or you’ve been through this before, we know kindergarten is an exciting time for families. We want you to know we’re excited to get to know you and your student. In this page, you’ll find resources to help you know what kindergarten readiness looks like, as well as some ideas for how you can partner with us to help your student prepare for the journey ahead.
A student must be at least 5 years old by Aug. 31 before the fall they begin kindergarten. Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open April 15. More information about the Chehalis School District’s enrollment and registration process can be found at THIS LINK.
Preschool Resources
If you have a child approaching kindergarten age, preschool is a great way to help them get ready for kindergarten. If you are interested in getting your child into a preschool program, here are some valuable resources:
- Chehalis School District Department of Student Support found at THIS LINK offers a developmental preschool for students ages 3 and older who have been identified through Child Find. There are also spaces for peer learners, who do not require special education services. Call (360) 807-7245 for more information
- Chehalis School District’s Cornerstone Partnership found at THIS LINK can help families find available preschool spots for their children and need-based tuition scholarships
- Lewis County Head Start found at THIS LINK offers early learning programs for low-income families in Lewis County
Good to Know!
What Does Kindergarten Readiness Look Like?
Being the right age is one piece of how families can tell if their child is ready for kindergarten. But there are skills that can also help incoming kindergarteners thrive in their classrooms. Families can partner with our school district even before their students reach our hallways by helping their student prepare for the journey ahead.
A child who is kindergarten ready has practiced skills such as:
- Being away from their parents for more than a short period of time
- Washing their hands and using the toilet by themselves
- Academic skills such as recognizing letters, numbers, shapes, colors or patterns
- Fine motor skills such as holding a pencil or crayons and using scissors
- Gross motor skills such as jumping, balancing and sitting still
- Social skills such as listening to directions, sharing with peers
- Speaking so their language can be understood by others
Kinder Ready Behavior for Parents - English
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Kinder Ready Behavior for Parents - Spanish
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Additional Kinder Ready Resources
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The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a transition process that helps to ensure a successful start to the K-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child’s life. These data help inform state and district-level decisions about education policy and investments, and classroom decisions about individualized learning. Before beginning kindergarten, you and your child will be invited to school where you will meet some of our staff, learn a little bit about our school and your student will receive the WaKIDS assessment, meant to help identify their strengths, as well as areas they may need additional support.
- CLICK HERE for information from OSPI about the WaKIDS Assessment
- CLICK HERE to read the WaKIDS brochure for parents in English
- CLICK HERE to read the WaKIDS brochure for parents in Spanish
- CLICK HERE to read more from WaKIDS about early literacy
- CLICK HERE to read more from WaKIDS about early math skills
- CLICK HERE to read more from WaKIDS about early numerical literacy
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