Kindergarten Readiness
Preparing for kindergarten can be an exciting and stressful time for your family.
St. David’s Center is here to support you in navigating this new environment and advocating for the unique needs of your child.
Things to think about during your school selection:
What is important to you?
- What are key values I hope translate into my child’s elementary experience?
- What are some logistical considerations?
- What do I think is important for my child to know going into kindergarten?
- What are my worries or concerns?
- What balance does my child and family need?
- Screen time
- Exercise and outdoor play
- Open-ended play and decision making
- Nap and downtime
Next steps and considerations:
- Review schools, keeping in mind what matters most to your family.
- Locate and submit school applications.
- Review school hours and extended care.
- Review school calendar and break schedules.
- Consider summer plans and school schedules that best align.
- Consider options for homework help.
- Continue advocating your child, based on their needs, personality, and our family’s values.
Contact the district in which you reside to learn more about early childhood screening, how to schedule an appointment, and the required documentation.
There are many factors that come when choosing your child’s school. Below are some of the schools in and around St. David’s Center.
Hopkins Public Schools
- Alice Smith Elementary
- Eisenhower Elementary + Immersion
- Gatewood Elementary
- Glen Lake Elementary
- Meadowbrook Elementary
- L.H. Tanglen Elementary
Minnetonka Public Schools
- Clear Springs Elementary
- Deephaven Elementary
- Excelsior Elementary
- Groveland Elementary
- Minnewashta Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
Private Schools & Charter Schools
- Breck School
- St. Bartholomew
- St. Therese
- The Blake School
- The International School of Minnesota
- Eagle Ridge Academy
- International Spanish Language Academy
- Notre Ecole (French Immersion)
Additional Resources for Parents:
- School Readiness | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)
- Perry Preschool Project – HighScope
- InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development (harvard.edu)
- Readiness: Not a State of Knowledge, but a State of Mind | NAEYC
- Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten? | NAEYC
- Ready or Not Kindergarten, Here We Come! | NAEYC
- Transitioning to Kindergarten | NAEYC
- Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten – PACER Center
- Making the Move from Preschool to Kindergarten – PACER Center
- Transitioning from Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) to Kindergarten: Tips for Parents of Children with Challenging Behaviors – PACER Center
- Podcast | The Early Childhood Nerd
- Webinar | Transition to Kindergarten: A Big Step for You and Your Child
St. David’s Center School Readiness Blog Posts:
- School Readiness: Nature
- In the News: Mom Enough Podcast on Self-Regulation in Preschool
- School Readiness: Curiosity
- School Readiness: Mathematics
- School Readiness: Persistence
- School Readiness: Handwriting
- School Readiness: Literacy Skills
- Back-to-School: How to Support Your Child and Take Care of Yourself