Setting up children for success in their first three months in Canada

Overview of the Canadian school system

Canada’s school system is divided into three big parts - elementary, middle, and high school. Elementary starts at Kindergarten (age five) and goes up to Grade 6 or 8, depending on the school. Middle school usually covers Grades 8 through 9. High school goes up to Grade 12.

Both public schools and private schools are available in most towns and cities. Choosing between them is based on your personal preference and your budget. Public schools in Canada are free and have a high standard of education. Private schools may offer specific study options that public schools don’t, but you will have to pay tuition, which can be expensive.

As parents, you can stay involved in your kids’ schooling by volunteering. This can be in the form of helping your school directly with programs, or becoming a part of the parent-teacher association. Doing this can help you stay close with your children’s education, as well as being a great way for you to build your network within the community.

Enrollment and cultural aspects of Canadian schools

Enrolling your children in school requires paperwork. Often this will include documents like birth certificates, immunization records and records confirming attendance and achievement at previous schools.

Don’t worry if English or French isn’t your first language. Most schools offer ESL (English as a Second Language) programs to help your kids catch up.

A typical school day starts early around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., and ends by 3 p.m. There is planned time off for holidays like Christmas and summer break. 

School isn’t just studying. There are many “extracurricular activities” available. This is a term Canadians use to describe any school program that takes place outside of regular school hours. This can include sports, theatre, music and other clubs. These activities can be a great way for your children to make friends and integrate successfully.

The Canadian public healthcare system is known for its quality. You will need to register for public health insurance in the province you’re moving to. Each province is a bit different in how it handles insurance. For details, make sure to check with your local ministry of health Opens in a new window.. 

Once you get insurance sorted out, you’ll want to establish care with a family doctor. Sometimes they’ll call your family doctor your “primary care provider”. Getting this set is important so you can establish regular check-ups for your family, as well as any immunizations required for attending public schools. Calling a local clinic and asking to become a registered patient is a great way to start.

An important part of picking a place to live can be proximity to good schools. But it’s equally important to look for the kinds of social and community activities that your children like. This can include public parks, libraries and community centres.

Social integration and support networks

Moving to a new country is probably one of the biggest things that has happened in your kids’ lives. It can be stressful. It’s important to make time as a family to talk about your feelings as you all adjust to your new environment. Familiarize yourself with mental health support for newcomers Opens in a new window.. This is especially important if your kids are feeling extremely homesick or overwhelmed.

Joining local sports teams, clubs, or interest groups can be a great way to help your kids integrate successfully. They’ll get a chance to make new friends outside of school. Playdates for younger children are also a great way to build friendships for kids and their parents.

Finding local cultural communities can be a great way to feel a sense of familiarity and belonging. Cultural festivals that help maintain your heritage while living in Canada may be interesting to you and your children. Members of the family including kids can often volunteer at community centres or local places of worship to help build a new sense of belonging. 

Moving to a new country is a big deal. And to your children, it’s probably one of the biggest changes they’ve encountered in their lives so far. It’s important to recognize this. Your kids will have a lot of emotions they will need to process along the way. It’s important for your whole family to talk about feelings in the months before and after you arrive. 

You can ease your kids’ transition into their new country and social group. Start by getting them enrolled in school. Then think about school-related activities like sports, music or clubs they can join. Look around your area for community centers and cultural events that can involve your whole family. And get the whole family set up for access to public healthcare.

By planning for these activities ahead of time, you’re setting your family up for success. Your kids can look forward to an exciting new life as Canadians!