Kindergarten
Procedures and Guidelines
Note: Early Entrance Packets will be available after March 1st at your local elementary school.
According to state regulation, COMAR 13A.08.01.02, the local board of education shall adopt a regulation permitting a 4-year-old child, upon request by the parent or guardian, to be admitted to Kindergarten if the local superintendent of schools or superintendent’s designee determines that the child has demonstrated capabilities warranting early admission.
Children entering Kindergarten should be 5 years of age on or before September 1. If a parent or guardian requests a waiver for his/her child to enter Kindergarten early, the child must be 5 years old on or before October 1. No request will be honored for early entrance for any child whose birthday is after October 1.
Procedure for Early Entrance
A parent request for consideration for early admission to Kindergarten can be made by securing and then completing an application and questionnaires for early Kindergarten admission. Applications are available from each child’s home elementary school. There are two required parts to the application process:
1) Application completed by a parent/guardian and
2) Prior Care form completed by a child care provider. All forms must be totally completed and submitted/postmarked before April 30 for an assessment to be scheduled.
Student with completed early entrance applications will be scheduled for an assessment in May. The test will take place in designated location under the supervision of Carroll County Public Schools’ professional staff.
In addition to the test results, the following key indicators will be considered along with identified pertinent information when making the decision regarding early entrance to kindergarten.
Early entrance into Kindergarten is intended for children who excel in meeting the Kindergarten readiness standards and are capable of working in a classroom setting with children who are up to 13 months older.
The needs of the whole child should be considered including social/emotional and physical factors as well as cognitive.
A child should exhibit a level of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional maturity that is commensurate with that of children who are up to 13 months older.
Timeline for the Early Entrance Process
|
April |
Parents complete and submit the application packet |
|
May |
Assessments are scheduled |
|
June |
Parents are notified of status |
There are no exceptions to this timeline.
Maturity Waiver
Maryland's law requires that a Kindergarten-age child who lives in Maryland must attend a public or nonpublic Kindergarten program unless the parents request a Level of Maturity Waiver. This allows parents/legal guardians to submit a one-year level of maturity waiver if they believe that a delay in Kindergarten attendance is in the best interest of the child. The child, however, must attend Kindergarten the next year.
Kindergarten Level of Maturity Waiver applications are available in all elementary schools. The waiver must be filed with the Principal of the school his/her child is eligible to attend.
Resources
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the age of entry for Kindergarten?
- How do I know which school is my child's home school?
- How and when do I enroll a child for Kindergarten?
What is the age of entry for Kindergarten?
How do I know which school is my child's home school?
How and when do I enroll a child for Kindergarten?
Only the biological parent, custodial parent, or court appointed legal guardian may enroll a child in school. You are encouraged to enroll a child during the Kindergarten Registration week in March. During this week, enrollment secretaries at each local elementary schools will be available to assist in the process. You are welcome to call the school if you wish to set up an enrollment outside of this week.