Get Ready for School

The application for the 2025 Get Ready for School™ program will launch on Friday, November 1st, 2024 at 10am. For the program schedule and the list of program sites, please click here. 

Eligibility for Waterloo Region: The program is offered for children born in 2021 who live in Waterloo Region, which includes Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the surrounding townships of Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich).

(Please note that while applications from all Waterloo Region residents will be considered, priority will be given to families from neighbourhoods supported by our program sites.)

Eligibility for St. Basil’s C.S. in Owen Sound: The program is offered for children born in 2021 who will be attending St. Basil’s C.S. in Owen Sound for Year 1 of Kindergarten. (This instance of the Get Ready for School program is fully sponsored and funded by the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board.)

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Get Ready for School™ program

Get Ready for School™ is a FREE program that is delivered in partnership with community centres. The program, which consists of 44 two-hour classes, is delivered by trained Instructors and Volunteers who work with children ages 3-4, from  January or February to June, just prior to their start in Year 1 of Kindergarten. This highly effective research-based program was created by Dr. Iuliana Baciu and is particularly beneficial for children who are learning English as an additional language and for children from low to middle-income families.

The program focuses on helping children develop essential early literacy skills. The emphasis on increasing vocabulary, letter-sound knowledge, and classroom learning behaviours are all essential building blocks for children as they prepare to enter their formal school experience.

The program also provides instruction and support for the children’s parents so they are better able to support their child’s learning at home. At regular intervals throughout the program, parents attend information meetings to learn more about the program and how they can reinforce the skills their children are learning. Regular newsletters are shared to keep parents informed. Learning resources are provided for the children to use at home to practice skills with their parents.

For more information on this program, please contact Program Manager, Kirsten Carr, and Assistant Programs Co-ordinator, Caroline Stamp, by e-mailing grfs@strongstart.ca. Please see Our People page for individual team member contact information.