Kindergarten registration for the 2015-16 school year is now underway in school districts throughout the south Puget Sound region.

This is a change from past years. Federal Way Public Schools has typically registered the coming year’s kindergarten students beginning in May.

And, although schools are registering students now, the information events called kindergarten “Jumpstarts” will still be held in May.

Jumpstarts give parents and their children the opportunity to meet teachers, see the school and classrooms  and hear helpful tips for getting ready for kindergarten.

Why is registration beginning now? The Road Map Project — a regional consortium of seven south Puget Sound districts, including Federal Way — was formed to increase the number of students graduating prepared for college and careers.

One of the key strategies of the Road Map Project is to get young learners off to a strong start in kindergarten, since research shows that this can help ensure success later in school.

“Early kindergarten registration can plug families into various opportunities like play and learn groups, Jumpstart and Ready for K!, which can increase school readiness for kids and strengthen parent-to-parent and school-to-family relationships,” according to the Puget Sound Educational Service District. These strengthened relationships are important for student and family success.

Federal Way Public Schools offers free, all-day kindergarten in all elementary schools.

Students must be 5 years old by Aug. 31 for entrance into the 2015-2016 school year.

Parents and guardians can stop by the elementary school in their community during the school day with a copy of the child’s birth certificate and current immunization records.

For more information, visit www.fwps.org