Registration and Readiness
Get Ready! Get Set! Let’s Go!
As the start of the kindergarten year approaches, you may have questions about what to do to get your child enrolled. You might even worry about whether he/she is ready for the “big” school. We know there’s a lot to think about: immunizations, backpacks, lunchtime, bus rides and carpools, and of course, separation anxiety—for both of you.
To answer some of your questions and hopefully ease a few fears, we’ve put together helpful information to get you started. And of course, we’re always here to help, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Get Ready!
To become an Eager Beaver, you must be five years old before September 1. If your child is ready to become one of our fearless Eager Beavers, then it’s time to start the registration process. Visit our district Registration and Immunizations page for a rundown of required documentation as well as printable versions of all our registration forms. We require children to be immunized in accordance with NM state requirements.
You’ll still need to make an appointment to visit us at our office, so we can verify your child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency; however, you can speed up the intake process if you opt to complete the enrollment and information forms at home. Just give us a call if you have any questions about this process.
Get Set!
Now that your little one is ready, it’s time to get set to learn! As the first day of kindergarten approaches, some of the initial excitement may have subsided as feelings of anxiety and fear start to surface for both you and your child. We understand that the first day of school can be a tearful one for both parents and the child. Don’t worry; these feelings are perfectly normal. Here are a few tips provided by School Family to help you and your future kindergartner prepare for this exciting transition.
- Help your child become familiar with the school by driving past it often, especially in the summer days leading up to the start of the school year. Take a tour of the school together, even if you visited the campus for registration already. Walk around the building and show her where the bathroom, cafeteria, play area, and water fountains are. Be sure to have your child participate in any orientation activities, so that he will meet new friends and have familiar faces to look for on the first day of school.
- Talk about school at home and about the fun and exciting things they will get to do. Be careful not to express sadness that he’s starting school; you both need to see this as a positive step.
- Establish a school bedtime routine a whole month before school starts. This allows you time to scale back gradually by having your child go to bed 10-15 minutes earlier each night. Experts say it takes 30 days to establish a routine. Your child needs adequate sleep, so she can make it through the long day; especially if she’s accustomed to taking a mid-day nap.
For more ideas about how to prepare for kindergarten, visit School Family or Scholastic on the Web.
Let's Go!
Preparation for all school subjects begins in kindergarten. Your child will engage in learning through activities and experiences related to language, reading, numbers, science, history, geography, art, physical education, and music.
Our teachers and staff will work together with you and your child during this very important year to lay down the foundation for a life-long love of learning. We believe this is the perfect time in a child’s life to help them to learn to work both independently and with others. At Grand Heights ECC, we take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to equip them with the valuable tools and skills they need to successfully face new situations.
We wish to prepare our students for success by helping them to “learn how to learn” and by instilling in them a desire to know more. We place utmost importance on building a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence, and we want each student who completes our program to feel a strong sense of self-worth as they socially and academically develop into well-rounded individuals.