School programs · Vancouver School Board

Vancouver kindergarten registration

Register at your catchment school between November 1 and January 31 for priority. Children must turn 5 by December 31 of the year they start.

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Grades
Kindergarten
Format
Online registration with your catchment school.
Cost
Free.
Official site
www.vsb.bc.ca

Key dates

  • ConfirmedPriority registration opensSun, November 1, 2026
  • ConfirmedPriority registration closesSun, January 31, 2027

What it is

Every child starting kindergarten in a Vancouver public school registers at their catchment (neighbourhood) school.

For September 2027, children born in 2022 are eligible: a child must turn five by December 31 in the year they begin school.

Registering between November 1 and January 31 gives catchment priority. If more catchment families apply than there are spaces, a random draw decides.

A good fit if: Every family with a child born in 2022 starting school in Vancouver in September 2027.

How to register

  1. Find your catchment school on the VSB website.
  2. Register between November 1, 2026 and January 31, 2027 for priority.
  3. Have ready: proof of Vancouver residency, your child's ID, parent photo ID and immunization records.
  4. If you want French Immersion, Montessori or another choice program, register at your catchment school first, then apply for the choice program in January.

How to prepare

  • Gather documents in October so you can register on November 1.
  • Decide early whether you'll also apply to a choice program, since that window is short.

For grade-by-grade options see Kindergarten.

Common questions

How old does my child need to be for kindergarten in BC?

Your child must turn five by December 31 of the year they start school. For September 2027, that means born in 2022.

Does it matter if I register on November 1 or in January?

Anyone who registers in the priority period (November 1 to January 31) gets the same priority. If demand is higher than space, a random draw is used.

Do siblings get priority?

Yes. Siblings who register between November 1 and January 31 get sibling priority.

What comes next

School programs

Vancouver Early French Immersion and kindergarten choice programs

Early French Immersion, Montessori, Mandarin Bilingual, Fine Arts and Indigenous Focus kindergartens. Apply January 5 to February 2, 2027. Places are decided by random draw.

KindergartenFree to apply

Sources

Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.