School

Elementary School Registration for Fall 2026 

(10-minute read)

October 2025

By L. Choi, Communications & Workshop Assistant, Family Care Office/ Faculty Relocation Services, University of Toronto

Getting ready to send your little one off to school can be both exciting and emotional. Alongside the big feelings, there are practical things to plan for: registration dates, program options, and care arrangements. If your child will be starting kindergarten in September 2026, here’s what you need to know. 

Colorful school supplies on a dark chalkboard background, including pencils, markers, scissors, paper clips, erasers, a ruler, foam letters A, B, C, a paper rocket, and a rubber band ball, with space for text on the left.

Find Your Local School

Before registering, it’s important to know which school your child is assigned to attend. 

Use the TDSB Find Your School by Address tool. Enter your street name to see your designated elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools, along with contact information and program details. 

Starting here makes the registration process much smoother

Kindergarten Basics 

In Ontario, children can begin Junior Kindergarten in the calendar year they turn four and Senior Kindergarten the year they turn five. Both are full-day programs, though kindergarten itself is optional. School only becomes mandatory once children enter Grade one. While kindergarten is optional, the majority of children attend Junior and Senior Kindergarten. 

Before and After School Care

For many families, before- and after-school care is also something you will need. These programs fill up quickly, with parents and caregivers getting on waitlists years in advance, so add yourself to a waitlist as soon as you can. Most elementary schools’ days end at approximately 3 pm, although the exact time varies from school to school. 

If your child’s school offers a program, register as early as possible. If not, explore licensed child care programs or other options that suit your family’s needs. 

Additional Before and After Care Options can be found in the FCO resource centre: Child Care – Family Care Office Resource Centre – Research Guides at University of Toronto 

Use the regional child care finders to find local before and after school programs: child care locator

Toronto District School Board (TDSB)  

Registration for the English Kindergarten program begins in February.  

The application window for Early French Immersion or alternative schools open earlier, so now is the time to start thinking about it! 

The application window for Early French Immersion opens November 3, 2025, and closes November 28, 2025. 

For families considering the Middle French Immersion Grade 4 entry point, the application process takes place while your child is in Grade 3. It is entirely online, and all communication is sent by email, so it’s important to check your inbox regularly — including junk and spam folders. If you do choose this option, keep in mind your child would likely need to bus to a different part of the city for a school that offers it. 

Other school boards, such as Peel and Durham, start French immersion in Grade 1. We’ll cover their timelines below. 

Other Program Options in TDSB 

Beyond English and French programs, the TDSB has a range of specialized options. Families can explore alternative schools, which typically use a lottery-based admission process each fall, with applications opening in early January 2026.  

There are also elementary academies, which require applications by the Out-of-Area admissions deadline on January 30, 2026. 

The Urban Indigenous Education Centre provides culturally rooted support and programming for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students and families. 

For new kindergarten students (K–2), families are required to complete a Developmental History Form during registration. If your child has special education needs, you should connect directly with your school to discuss appropriate support. 

Key Dates by School Board 

Here’s a quick overview of timelines across the school boards closest to U of T campuses: 

  • Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB): According to the TCDSB website, registration for the 2025-2026 school year will begin in January 2026, with key dates and deadlines to be posted in late 2025. If you are interested in French Immersion, the program starts in Junior Kindergarten (JK), and the application deadlines align with those for general kindergarten registration. For students with special education needs, please reach out to your school of registration or contact admissions at admissions.registration@tcdsb.org.   
  • Peel District School Board (PDSB): Visit the Kindergarten webpage on the Peel District School Board website in a few weeks for updated registration dates for the 2026-2027 school year. In the Peel District, French Immersion begins in Grade 1. Families of children with special education needs are encouraged to review the Planning for Entry to School Form on enrollment before starting the process. 
  • Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB): Visit the Kindergarten webpage on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board website in a few weeks for the 2026-2027 registration dates. In the DPCDSB, French Immersion begins in Grade 1. To enroll a student with special needs, please complete and submit the “Entry Planning Form for Students with Differing Abilities” after registration.  
  • Durham District School Board (DDSB): Registration for the 2025–2026 school year opens in January 2026. French immersion begins in Grade 1. For special education services, parents can contact their school directly or reach out to the DDSB Inclusive Student Services team. All students must first be registered at their designated home school. If you are interested in transferring to an out-of-area school (not your designated home school), please review the Permission to Enrol Procedure. Once your child is registered at the designated home school, wait for the school to contact you to discuss your options. School staff are the best resource to guide you in planning for your child’s education. 

Resources for Parents Considering French Immersion

Deciding whether French immersion is the right choice can feel overwhelming, so we’ve gathered perspectives and resources to help you reflect: 

Final Notes

While this post highlights key dates for several GTA school boards, families may live in different regions with their own timelines. Each region has public and Catholic boards, and in some cases French or French Catholic boards as well. Always check your local school board’s website for the most up-to-date information, especially if you are considering French immersion.