Kindergarten Registration 101 for Del Mar & Carmel Valley Parents

The time has finally come for your little one to ditch the Velcro and learn to lace-up: kindergarten is here.

There is a lot to remember when enrolling your child for kindergarten: vaccinations, proof of residency and even an oral assessment. It's an anxious time for both parent and kid alike.

There are many things to remember and prep for, but stress not, mom and dad! We've got the state basics here to help make the transition from preschool to kindergarten a smooth one.

Vaccinations

California law requires all children to have their vaccinations fully completed before enrolling in Kindergarten, unless exempted as provided by law. The five required vaccinations are:

1. Polio
2. DTP
3. MMR
4. HepatitisB
5. Varicella (ChickenPox)

Immunizations

California states that all immunizations must be up to date and verified at enrollment. Students will not be pre-enrolled, enrolled or admitted without this evidence. To get your proof of immunization, a state record card (a yellow card) can be ontained from your health care provider.

It will contain the name of your child, their date of birth, the name of each immunization that has been given to your child as well as the exact date it was administered. The yellow card will have a signature or stamp verifying the information.

Physical Exam

Kindergartens are required by the state to have a specific physical examination. All students are required to have a specific physical examination when entering first grade. This Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) examination may be obtained within 18 months prior to entering first grade. The pre-kindergarten physical qualifies if obtained within six months prior to entering kindergarten in August 2011.

Oral Assessment

Open wide! If your child is entering public school for the first time, a dental screening is now required by the state. The Department of Education provides funding for these screenings. You can check their website to see how much your district gets funded and get additional details about this mandatory law.

Residency Verification

All school districts in California have been advised that the State Controller’s Office will rigorously enforce Title V (Administrative Code) and Education Code provisions for verification of residency for school attendance. Schools are required to verify residency of all enrolling students.

If you're enrolling your child in kindergarten, be prepared to complete a residency verification form and present two of the following original documents. Please note that photocopies will be made of the documents and kept in your child's student file.

• Deed to primary residence
• Escrow papers for primary residence
• Rental/lease agreement for primary residence
• Military housing orders (base housing office written verification)
• Declaration of temporary residency affidavits for homeless families
• Current bill from local utility company
• Any other legal document(s) which establishes residence address within district boundaries

Below is a list of the kindergartens offered in the Del Mar Union School District in Del Mar and Carmel Valley. Entrance age requirements at DMUSD are that a child must be 5 years of age by Nov. 1 for the 2012-2013 school year; Oct. 1, 2013 for the 2013-14 school year; and Sept. 1, 2014 for the 2014-15 school year. The age requirement will stay at 5 years of age by Sept. 1 each year thereafter. A child who turns 5 years of age after the cut-off date may also be admitted to kindergarten with the superintendent's approval.

Good luck during this exciting transition time!