A starting shift control system for a continuously variable transmission is provided which includes a control unit having a high start judgment device for judging whether or not a high start in a high speed side gear ratio is caused on the basis of a comparison between the generated number of the input rotation pulses and the generated number of the output rotation pulses from the time a first vehicle starting operation is performed after start of a prime mover, and a high start control device for restricting downshifting from the high speed side gear ratio to a target gear ratio when a start of the vehicle is judged to be the high start. A starting shift control method is also provided.