FAQ

Your child's first school experiences comes with many questions, read below for some common questions and answers.

How is Hilson communicating with new families over the summer, particularly in regards to COVID-19 concerns (ie changing protocols)?

We will be emailing guardians/parents information concerning school opening and protocols as soon as we have the information. These decisions take time as they are coordinated and planned in a team effort with Ottawa Public Health, the Ontario Ministry of Education and the OCDSB.

At what age do children begin kindergarten?

Kindergarten is a two-year bilingual program consisting of 50% English instruction and 50% French instruction. It is available to any child turning 4 years old on or before December 31. Therefore if your child will be 4 years old by December 31st, 2022, they are eligible to start Kindergarten in September. Register here.

We live within Hilson boundaries but I want my child to attend the early French Immersion program in grade one. What should I do?

We welcome all families to our program and the Hilson community!

The kindergarten program is the same 50/50 bilingual model across the board, meaning it will be the same at a middle French Immersion school (MFI) or at early French Immersion (EFI) school. We have many families that choose to attend Hilson for kindergarten and then attend an EFI school. Families have shared that they choose to attend Hilson due to his reputation within the community, its smaller class sizes and due to the community feel of the school.

Please note that the expected graduation outcomes and level of French acquisition are measured as equal when comparing the Early French Immersion (EFI) and Middle French Immersion (MFI) programs. Many of our families choose the MFI program as it allows student to build strong foundational literacy and math skills in their first language, before moving onto their second language.

Once enrolled, when do I find out my child's class placement (educator team)?

Class placement is shared with families close to the start of the school year in September. During summer, you will receive an email indicating who your child’s educators will be. You will also receive a welcome to kindergarten package, an intake form and a date and time for your intake meeting with your child’s educators.

Is there a chance for families and students able to meet with their child's educator team for introductions and to answer any outstanding questions?

Yes. Families have the opportunity to meet the kindergarten educators during our Spring open house. Closer to the start of the school year, a meeting will be scheduled for families and students to meet their educator team. The meeting will take place virtually, or by phone if it is not possible to meet in person.

When do students eat?

Kindergarten students have access to an open snack table during their two indoor play blocks. This allows them to take a break and eat when they feel hungry throughout the day. They then have a nutrition break at 12:50pm. This is a twenty minute period where the whole class sits down at tables to eat. Children make their own choices as to what they eat from their lunch bags. Educators guide them in taking the time they need to ensure proper hand washing, eating at their own pace and packing up their belongings when they are done.

Is there a naptime?

There are no set nap times in kindergarten. However, each day the class engages in a set quiet time where children have the option to lay down and rest, read a book, or play with puzzles. We also have a designated quiet corner of the classroom where students are able to go to self regulate or engage in quiet activities. In our program we also teach yoga, and mindfulness activities to the students.

Do you still have questions for the kindergarten team?

Please click on the google form below and we'll get in touch in a timely manner!