Six children and their teacher join hands in a circle. A boy building with blocks greets the class bunny who has hopped over for a visit.

The Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC) "believes that purposeful play-based early learning sets the stage for future learning, health, and well-being."

Early Childhood Education
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Early Childhood Education

For Parents/Guardians

Kindergarten in Manitoba

Manitoba’s Kindergarten learning program offers our youngest students a joyful introduction to school through intentional play-based and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that respect children as capable, motivated, and confident learners and that foster children’s health across all developmental domains. Kindergarten is a time for children to learn about what school is like and have fun while learning new things. The children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn are stimulated through organized activities and play. Your child will interact with others, imagine, experiment and explore to add to their knowledge, learn new skills and practice what they have learned.

Manitoba Education supports an integrated, child-centred approach to education and learning, recognizing that young children learn through play and through relationships with caring adults and each other.

Today, every school division across Manitoba offers Kindergarten, and most children attend Kindergarten. There are diverse approaches to Kindergarten across Manitoba school divisions. Some Kindergartens operate the full day, every day, while many in rural Manitoba operate the full day, on alternate days. Some operate at 0.6 time, and others have multi-age classes, blending Kindergarten children with younger peers or with those in Grades 1, 2, and 3. However, the majority of Manitoba’s Kindergartens operate half days, five days per week.

Manitoba’s Kindergarten curriculum is outcome-based and organized into six subject areas: arts education, English or French language arts, mathematics, physical education/health education, science, and social studies.

To read more about what children learn in Kindergarten, please visit My Child in School.


Newcomer Parent Guide

This parent guide provides information on what families can expect in Manitoba Kindergartens and information on how to register for school. The guide also provides helpful tools such as checklists and questions that can be used to communicate with teachers and administrators for various purposes. Kindergarten – What can my child expect in Kindergarten?


Nursery School and Junior Kindergarten

Across Manitoba, some school divisions offer a preschool option for four-year-olds. This option may be called junior Kindergarten, K4, nursery school, or prématernelle. The rationale for offering school-based learning for four-year-olds is common across school divisions and is typically seen as an early intervention program and/or as a way to ease children’s transition to Kindergarten and the school experience. Licensed part day nursery schools may also be offered by community organizations and staffed by early childhood educators.


When to Register for Kindergarten

Children can start kindergarten in September of the year they turn five years old.

Kindergarten registration usually begins in January or February for the following September. Parents/caregivers should contact their local school division or independent school authority for registration information.

To register your child, the parent or legal guardian should bring the following items:

  • Your child's original birth certificate, any applicable immigration documents, and/or proof of Canadian citizenship for both you and your child
  • Your child’s immunization record
  • Proof of your residence address (a document such as your current year property tax receipt, current month rental receipt, or a purchase/rental agreement)

For help determining your school division please visit Manitoba School Divisions Contacts