Kindergarten open houses will be held starting this week in the Foothills School Division.

Cathy Bonnaventure, Director of Early Learning says the vast majority of parents will send their little ones off to classes.

"It's still not mandatory in our province but most of them decide that's what they want and school divisions are funded for it," she says.

The division expects about 500 students to be registered.

Bonnaventure says parents should bring along their child's birth certificate and they can sign up for a time before the end of June where they can bring their child into the school to meet one-on-one with the teacher and they can go over what sorts of things the parent can do to help the child prepare for kindergarten in the fall.

"I suppose if you've never had a child that's been in school before it's really helpful to attend the open house and get information and have your questions answered and meet the staff and see the school and just become a little more comfortable yourself," Bonnaventure says.

She points out the province has a program aimed at getting students off on the right foot.

"If the parent gets the vision of the child assessed and the child needs glasses the province pays for them," she says.

Kindergarten Open House Dates:

Okotoks Area:
Big Rock School:  January 31, 2017, 6:00 - 8:00pm    (including Junior Kindergarten and Montessori)
Westmount School:  January 31, 2017, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Ecole Percy Pegler School:  January 31, 2017, 6:00 - 8:00pm    (including French Immersion Kindergarten)
Dr. Morris Gibson School:  January 31, 2017, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Heritage Heights School:  February 9, 2017, 7:00 - 9:00pm

High River Area:
Ecole Joe Clark School:  February 1, 2017, 6:30 - 8:00pm    (including Junior Kindergarten)
Spitzee School:  February 1, 2017, 6:30 - 7:30pm    (Junior Kindergarten March 1, 6:00-7:00pm)
Cayley School:  February 1, 2017, 7:00 - 8:00pm    (including Junior Kindergarten)
Blackie School:  March 15, 2017, 6:00 - 7:00pm    (including Junior Kindergarten)

High Country Area:
Millarville School:  Feburary 9, 2017, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Turner Valley School:  February 2, 2017, 6:30 - 7:30pm
C. Ian McLaren School:  January 26, 2017, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Red Deer Lake School:  April 27, 2017, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Longview School: March 1, 2017, 5:00 - 7:00pm