Starting kindergarten is a big step for any child. For an autistic child, new routines, loud classrooms and lots of new faces can feel like a lot at once.
The good news is that Ontario has a free program built to make this move easier. It’s called the Entry to School Program, and Toronto families can access it through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).
This guide explains what the program covers, who qualifies, how to register and what you can do at home to help your child get ready.
What Is the Entry to School Program?
The Entry to School Program is a free OAP service. It helps autistic children build school-readiness skills before they start kindergarten or Grade 1, then supports them during their first months in class.
The program focuses on six skill areas:
- Communication: expressing wants and needs, understanding language and simple conversation.
- Play: exploring toys and joining group games.
- Social interaction: playing with peers and learning by watching others.
- Daily routines: following classroom routines, dressing and toilet training.
- Self-regulation: managing emotions and waiting for a turn.
- Early learning: paying attention, working in a group and doing tasks independently.
Sessions are run by a team with expertise in autism, applied behaviour analysis (ABA), speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and early childhood development. The program is offered in English and French, with interpretation for other languages when needed.
Who Is Eligible?
Your child can join the program if they are:
- registered in the Ontario Autism Program
- between 3 and 6 years old as of December 31 of the year they start school
- starting kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time
Children who already receive OAP core clinical services, or who have already started school, are not eligible.
Your child can still use other OAP supports at the same time, like foundational family services or urgent response services. Other special needs and early intervention programs are allowed too.
Not registered with the OAP yet? Contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 as soon as you have a diagnosis. Only registered children receive an invitation.
How the Program Works
The program runs in two parts.
- Group program (6 months before school). Your child attends a half-day, group-based program. It usually starts in March to prepare children for a September school start. Some providers also run a second group that begins in September.
- Transition support (first 6 months of school). Once school begins, your child gets individual transition support. You and your child’s teachers can also ask program staff for consultations, as needed.
In short, if your child starts kindergarten in September, expect the group program to begin around March of that year.
Who Runs the Program in Toronto?
In Toronto, the program is led by Surrey Place through the Toronto Autism Services Network. It works with six partners: Geneva Centre for Autism, Holland Bloorview, Kerry’s Place, Lumenus Community Services, South Asian Autism Awareness Centre and Strides Toronto.
You can reach the Toronto team here:
- Email: toronto.autism@surreyplace.ca
- Phone: 1-833-575-KIDS (5437)
- Website: torontoautismservices.ca
Families in Mississauga and the rest of Peel Region are served by ErinoakKids instead.
How to Register
You can’t sign up on your own. If your child is eligible, you’ll receive an invitation by email, by mail or through the AccessOAP family portal.
Once it arrives:
- Check which provider is named in the invitation. You must register with that provider.
- Contact them to ask questions and complete registration.
- Keep your contact details up to date with AccessOAP so you don’t miss any messages.
Expecting an invitation but haven’t received one? Contact the province’s Central Resource Team at 1-888-444-4530 or oap@ontario.ca.
One important note: this program does not enrol your child in school. You still need to register for kindergarten with your school board, such as the TDSB or TCDSB.
How to Prepare Your Child at Home
You don’t have to wait for the program to start. Small daily habits can make a real difference.
- Practise a school-day routine. Set regular wake-up, meal and bedtime hours a few weeks before school starts. A picture schedule helps your child know what comes next.
- Read stories about school. Picture books, or a simple social story with photos of the real school, make the new place feel familiar.
- Visit the school early. Walk past the building, play in the schoolyard, or ask about a visit to meet the teacher.
- Build self-help skills. Practise taking off a jacket, opening a lunch container and using the washroom.
- Practise waiting and taking turns. Simple board games or sharing toys with siblings build patience.
- Talk to the teacher. Share what calms your child, what upsets them and how they communicate.
Start small and celebrate every step. Progress matters more than perfection.
How ABA Therapy Helps Children Get School-Ready
ABA therapy builds the same skills kindergarten asks for: following instructions, asking for help, sitting in a group and coping with change. A Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) sets clear goals and tracks your child’s progress.
Our team provides ABA therapy in Toronto at home, at daycare or online. For younger children, our early intervention program builds these skills early, when progress often comes fastest. As an OAP-approved provider of ABA therapy in Canada, we also support families outside the city.
One thing to know: children receiving OAP core clinical services can’t join the Entry to School Program at the same time. Ask your provider how a therapy plan fits with your invitation.
Final Thoughts
The move to kindergarten doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the Entry to School Program, a few habits at home and the right support, your child can start school feeling more confident.
Have questions about getting your child ready for school? Call Advance Therapy at 519-771-4679 or email care@adtherapy.ca to book a free consultation.
Source: Ontario Autism Program: entry to school program, Government of Ontario, updated September 29, 2026.
