Kindergarten Enrollment

Registering Your Child for Kindergarten

Most public schools start Kindergarten registrations in early spring for the fall school year. The most common things you’ll need to register include:

  • Your child’s birth certificate

  • Immunization record

  • Vision, hearing, and dental assessments

  • Proof of where you live

  • Health form

Additional helpful information: Getting You and Your Child Ready for Kindergarten.

Select your school district or a Public School Academy from these lists for the specific enrollment date and the information they will want you to provide.

Dental Health and School

Finding and fixing tooth problems early can help children succeed in school. This is why Michigan established the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) Program. All kids starting Kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year must have a dental screening. Screenings can occur up to six months prior to the beginning of the school year, or during the kindergarten school year. 

Vaccines and School

When kids come together at school, there’s a greater chance for illnesses to spread. That’s why Michigan has vaccine requirements in place -- to help keep all children safe and healthy in group settings like classrooms and childcare centers.

To attend school, children must meet the state’s minimum vaccination requirements. These rules help prevent serious disease outbreaks. The best protection? Following the recommended vaccination schedule from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which not only keeps your child protected but also ensures they meet school vaccine rules. You can find the full vaccination schedule on the Centers for Disease Control website.

If you have religious or other personal beliefs that prevent your child from receiving vaccines, Michigan requires you to complete a Nonmedical Immunization Waiver. This form must be signed and certified by the Genesee County Health Department. Before signing, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with a health professional who will answer your questions and share information about the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the benefits of vaccines.

MDHHS Immunization Requirements for Kindergarten Entry 

Vision and School

Many children start school with undetected vision problems, and catching these issues early can make a big difference. One common condition, called Amblyopia (also known as "lazy eye"), can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated during early childhood. Clear vision is essential for learning, so spotting problems early helps children succeed both in and out of the classroom.

To help with this, the Genesee County Health Department offers free vision screening. These screenings follow state guidelines and are done at least once between ages 3 and 5, before starting kindergarten.

A vision screening will check how clearly your child sees (for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) and look for eye muscle imbalances like eyes that turn in or out.

If a child does not pass one or more parts of the screening or shows signs of a vision problem, they will be referred to a licensed eye doctor (an optometrist or ophthalmologist), who can provide a full diagnosis and treatment if needed.

Hearing and School

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers free hearing screenings for children through the Genesee County Health Department. These screenings help catch hearing issues early. Children may not know they hear differently. Early detection helps prevent delays in speech, learning, social skills, and emotional development.

These screenings follow state guidelines and are done at least once between ages 3 and 5, before starting kindergarten.

Screening happens in three stages: an initial check, follow-up testing if needed, and a referral to a doctor or specialist if a hearing issue is found.