This year, every 4-year-old in California can enter transitional kindergarten at their local school district. But fewer parents know about TK, and that it can be an option for their family, than they did just a few years ago, according to a survey by the Stanford Center on Early Childhood.

Here are some frequently asked questions about this new grade in California’s public school system.

What is transitional kindergarten?

Transitional kindergarten is part of California’s ambitious plan to create the nation’s largest free early education program. The state describes TK as the first of a two-year kindergarten program to prepare children for the rigors of elementary school.

Starting in 2012, some school districts introduced TK on a limited basis to serve a group of children who narrowly missed the cutoff date to enter kindergarten. In 2021, they began accepting more 4-year-olds by expanding the birthday cutoffs each year. Starting this school year, all school districts are required to offer universal access to TK. They must also limit classroom sizes to one adult for every ten students.

How do I know if my kid is eligible for TK?

Students who will turn 4 by Sept. 1 of the school year can enroll.

What do kids learn in TK?

TK is a play-based program, where children learn through play and interaction with each other. Schools are expected to align with the state’s framework, the Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations, when they set the curriculum for TK. The document lays out the knowledge and skills that 3- to 5-year-old children can acquire, such as focusing attention and collaborating with others, if given the benefits of a high-quality early education.

Parents may find that transitional kindergarten doesn't have as much play as other options.

Erika Vargas, a transitional kindergarten teacher at Global Family Elementary School in Oakland, says a year in TK gives children a “grace period” to learn the routines and expectations of being in school and develop the skills necessary for kindergarten.

“Our goal is to expose them to literature, to develop that love of books, reading, writing and drawing,” she said. “Socially, we want them to learn how to make friends and resolve conflicts.”

Kids also start on basic skills such as learning the alphabet and numbers, but the focus is more on social and emotional development, said Tanya Harris, director of elementary education for the Alameda Unified School District.

How is TK different from other types of preschool?

TK is the only free school option for all 4-year-olds in California. Two other publicly funded preschool programs — Head Start and the California State Preschool Program — prioritize students based on certain criteria, like income and living situation. Private preschools are businesses or nonprofits that are required to comply with local zoning, and health and safety codes. They set their own curriculum.

Why does California want to make TK universal?

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the goal of making TK universal is so that “every 4-year-old in California from here on out can start their schooling on the right track, setting them up for success further down the road.”

Experts also say that TK brings students into the K-12 system sooner so that they can acclimate to going to school and feel comfortable in a classroom, while parents benefit from an extra year of free care and education for their children.

Does my child have to attend TK?

No. TK and kindergarten are considered optional in California. Children are not mandated to enroll in school until first grade.

When should I start researching transitional kindergarten options for my child?

Many school districts start enrollment in January for the fall and may give priority to school placement for those who enroll early. (Los Angeles Unified begins this process in October.) Also, schools often hold tours and information sessions in the spring. But don’t expect your local school district to reach out to you with a reminder to sign up for your child. Many parents have told us they find out about TK from other parents and do their research into options and deadlines.

What happens if I wait to enroll my child until right before school starts?

Children can enroll in school at any time, but that may limit your options for which school or program your child can enroll in. Some schools may fill up, which means you will have to look at other options.

How can I assess if transitional kindergarten is right for my child?

Since TK may not cover all the child care hours parents need to fit their work schedule, parents must consider if they can make it work logistically and if their child can handle switching from school to an aftercare arrangement.

Some families prefer to keep their child in a program that can provide full-day care, said Kym Johnson, CEO of Bananas, an agency that refers parents to child care options in Alameda County.

On the other hand, some parents want their kids to enter a school environment. “Four-year-olds are at different stages and levels of independence,” Johnson said. “We believe families know what's best for their kids.”

What should I look for in a TK program?

A high-quality TK classroom ought to have ample space for play-based activities, said Hanna Melnick, senior policy advisor for the Learning Policy Institute based in Palo Alto.

“You want to see literacy, math and science activities in the classroom that are thoughtfully planned,” Melnick said. “And you want to make sure that the curriculum and assessments are taking into account the needs of the whole child — their social and emotional needs, their physical development as well as what’s more considered traditional academic development in math and reading.”

Dale Farran, a professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University, said parents need to look for learning opportunities in the classroom that go beyond basic instruction.

“They need to be up, they need to be exploring, they need to be interacting with each other and with the teacher, and they need to have an environment that facilitates all of that happening,” Farran said.

(Looking for a school in Los Angeles Unified School District? Check out our guide: How to choose a school in Los Angeles)

What should I ask the school about how TK is run?

• What kind of outdoor time do children get and what do those spaces offer?
• How do you incorporate play into the curriculum? 
• Are there bathrooms attached to the classroom? (If not: Is there a bathroom inside the classroom, where are the closest bathrooms and how do the children get there?)
• Where will they eat their lunch and snacks? Will it be in the classroom or the cafeteria? 
• Do you have any special additional programs for TK students, e.g. dual immersion? 
• What kind of after-school care do you offer?
• Can I take a tour?
• Can I talk to the principal and teacher?

What are common challenges parents encounter?

Many parents find that arranging pick-up and drop-off can be a huge challenge depending on their work schedules. The other big challenge is finding before- and after-school care since TK schedules vary in length anywhere from three to five hours a day. The state has provided funding for schools to add after-school care and enrichment classes in art, STEM or sports, but availability varies from school to school. Some programs charge fees while others are free.

Anything else I should consider?

Napping and toilet training. Some 4-year-olds still nap in the afternoon, which is not part of most TK programs. If that’s a problem, then perhaps you could consider how your child could still nap after school or phase out napping.

Another issue some parents worry about is how prepared their child is to use the bathroom on their own. The California Department of Education requires districts to admit all eligible students, regardless of if they’re potty-trained or not, but it varies by district when it comes to addressing the needs of those students.

Marji D. Calbeck, director of elementary support for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, recommends that parents talk with teachers at the start of the school year about any concerns and even pack their kids an extra change of clothes in case they have an accident. Potty accidents happen in school, she said, noting it’s something educators should be equipped to deal with.

What if my child isn’t ready for TK? What are my other options?

California offers several publicly funded early childhood education programs, to help meet families’ diverse child care needs.

Under the state’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) initiative, income-eligible families can enroll in federal Head Start programs, the California State Preschool Program or subsidized early learning programs such as home-based “family child care” or private preschools.

CSPP offers part-day and full-day options for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Click here to find out whether you meet the income requirement to enroll your child in CSPP.

Where can I find more information?

First, check out LAist's School Game Plan, to better understand what you might want out of your child's education.

The state has set up a comprehensive website with information about TK. To find a program in your area, start with your local school district. You can look up school districts here. You can also explore parent forums or groups on social media. Parents can also search for child care that meets their specific needs via MyChildCarePlan.org, a search tool supported by California’s network of resource and referral agencies.

If there’s a question you have we didn’t include, feel free to reach out to us — Daisy Nguyen or Elly Yu — and we’ll do our best to find answers.

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Illustration by Olivia Hughes/LAist.