Date:
Audience:
Topics:
Resource Type:
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) has been available for children with fall birthdays since 2011. Now, California is expanding access to TK so that all California children can benefit! Parents, keep reading to find answers to frequently asked questions about enrolling your child in a TK program. Learn more about TK >
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the first year in a two-year Kindergarten program. Designed especially for four-year-olds, it will help prepare children to succeed in school, while also giving them an opportunity to meet new friends and provide care while parents work. TK is offered through the public school system. Classes take place at neighborhood elementary schools and are free to all students regardless of income, similar to Kindergarten.
Starting in the 2025-26 school year, children whose 4th birthday is on or before September 1 are eligible for the program.
For information on how to enroll your child in TK, contact your local school or district office. You can find a list of local schools and your school district by using the California Department of Education’s California School Directory.
No, like Kindergarten, TK is optional in California. Parents may choose to enroll their child if they think TK will benefit their child and family, or to remain in other early learning and care programs like Head Start, the California State Preschool Program, or private child care based on what best fits their needs.
A DLI program teaches students in English and another language, helping them become bilingual, biliterate, and academically successful. Research shows these programs also support cognitive development and cultural understanding.
Many school districts include programs beginning in TK and provide pathways to biliteracy through elementary school and beyond. Reach out to your local school district to learn which programs are available.
Learning two languages from an early age supports brain development, strengthens communication skills, and prepares children for future academic and career opportunities.
No. Most DLI programs welcome children with a variety of language backgrounds and are designed to help them learn both languages over time.
Continue speaking and reading with your child in the language you know best. A strong foundation in the home language supports learning in both languages.
Look for a program that aligns with your family’s goals and needs, offers a strong bilingual curriculum, and supports your child’s academic and social development.
No. DLI programs offered through public schools are provided at no cost to families.
Yes, with some exceptions. All school districts that receive state funding are required to offer TK, but school districts are not required to offer TK at every elementary school. This means that the TK program in your district may not be at the elementary school that is closest to your home.
Other exceptions are“basic aid districts,” that are not required to offer TK. The reason for this is that basic aid districts are funded solely through local, rather than state, funds and are not required to abide by the state mandate to provide TK. Most basic aid districts do offer TK but some have chosen to not offer this service in favor of other spending. You can find a list of “basic aid” districts here.
Districts and charter schools are required to maintain average TK classrooms of no more than 24 students at each school site. And each TK classroom must maintain an average classroom ratio of 10 students per every 1 adult at each school site.
All TK classes must be staffed by at least one credentialed teacher who has both a multiple subject teaching credential (required for Elementary School teaching) and, by August 1, 2025, either at least 24 units in early childhood education or child development, comparable professional experience with preschool-aged children, or a Child Development Teacher Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
The second adult in a TK classroom is not required to hold a teaching credential but should have relevant training or experience in early childhood education or child development. This may include coursework, a Child Development Assistant or Associate Teacher Permit, or equivalent experience as determined by the local educational agency.
Like Kindergarten, schools can choose to offer TK as a half-day (3 hour) program or as a full-day (6 hour) program. Contact your local school to learn about how TK is being offered in your district!
TK is based on a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum that allows children to be active and have fun while learning important skills for reading, writing, mathematics, and social-emotional skills such as learning to listen to directions and take turns. TK classrooms follow the guidance provided in the California Preschool Learning Foundations Standards. You can check out our Teachers page to get an idea of what teachers do in a typical TK class.
No. While there are programs which prefer children to be potty trained, it is not a legal requirement for enrollment into TK and schools cannot deny a child access to TK based on potty training status.
Many school districts offer extended care and learning options, either on-site or nearby. Availability and offerings vary by district, so it’s best to ask your school site or district about the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), the After School Education and Safety Program (ASES), and programs offered by community-based partners.
No, a district is not required to provide transportation to and from school for TK unless an enrolled TK student has been identified as a student with disabilities. It’s best to check directly with your local school site or district to understand what transportation options are available.