*What is Transitional Kindergarten?
Transitional kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. Senate Bill (SB) 858 establishes the intent that TK curriculum be aligned to the California Preschool Learning Foundations and California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks developed by the California Department of Education.
Kindergarten and the Kindergarten Readiness Act
California's youngest students have been given a better opportunity to be successful beginning on their first day of school. The Kindergarten Readiness Act (Assembly Bill 1381) establishes new age requirements for kindergarten students. This law requires students to be older than in previous years to attend kindergarten, and provides an additional year of kindergarten (called "transitional kindergarten") for some of our youngest students.
- Kindergarten: For the 2025-2026 school year, students must be born on or before September 1, 2020. A child who will have reached the age of five years on or before September 1st of the current school year shall be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten. (Education Code 48000) (Assembly Bill 1381)
- Transitional Kindergarten: A child who will reach the age of four years between September 2, 2024 and Sep 1, 2025 shall be eligible for enrollment in transitional kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year (Assembly Bill 1381) Parents should follow the same registration procedures outlined for kindergarten entry.
To make sure your child is ready for school, California law Education Code Section 49452.8, requires that your child have an oral health assessment or dental check-up in his or her first year in public school (kindergarten or first grade). Every child needs an oral health assessment from a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional, and a completed Oral Health Assessment form to meet this requirement.
Should students who are 4 years old receive their Kindergarten booster vaccines?
Yes. Under California’s kindergarten immunization requirements, even four-year-old children need their kindergarten immunizations prior to the first day of transitional kindergarten where they could potentially be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy Family Physicians recommend kindergarten immunizations starting as young as four years of age. (See CDC's Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for more details.)
Are students in transitional kindergarten subject to the Kindergarten immunization requirements?
Yes. They are required to have documentation of required immunizations or a valid exemption prior to admission to transitional kindergarten.
