As spring begins to unfold in our region, the next school year may seem like it’s a long time away. But it’s not too soon to start thinking about your child’s first day of kindergarten this fall. In fact, the most important date for parents of rising kindergarteners – children who are 5 years old by September 30 — is right around the corner.

Thursday, April 10 is the day for on-time registration for children starting kindergarten in the fall in 15 local school divisions:  the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond, as well as the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George and Sussex. Nearly 12,000 children will enter kindergarten in the fall in the greater Richmond and Petersburg region.

For more information about kindergarten registration and what to bring on April 10, parents can dial the phone number “2-1-1” or visit www.readychildren.net and find information specific to their school division.