What is Transitional Kindergarten?
In 2010, California enacted a new law, Senate Bill 1381 (Simitian, D-Palo Alto), “The Kindergarten Readiness Act,” which moved up the state’s kindergarten start date from December to September through a multi-year, phase-in requirement for school districts. The law also created a program called “Transitional Kindergarten.” Transitional Kindergarten (TK) was considered the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. In 2021, California expanded TK through Assembly Bill (AB) 130. Through this bill, TK will gradually expand over a four-year period through the 2025-26 school year, until all 4-year-olds have the opportunity to attend a high-quality, developmentally appropriate TK program and enter kindergarten prepared to learn and thrive. 

For the 2023-24 school year, children who turn 5 between September 2 and April 2 are eligible for TK.

Does My Child Have to Go to Transitional Kindergarten?
No, parents are not required to enroll their child in a transitional kindergarten program. Parents and guardians may wait until their child is age-eligible for enrollment into kindergarten. 

Enrollment
The Moreland School District places students appropriately by age. Children who turn five between September 2 and April 2 are enrolled in TK. The school district also does not participate in rolling enrollment. Therefore, students who turn five after April 2 will not be enrolled in TK for that school year. For information on the district’s enrollment policies, visit our website at http://www.moreland.org or contact our Enrollment Center at 408.874.2927.

How is The Program Arranged?

• TK is part of the public school system and is free to all eligible children.
• TK serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, giving children more time for hands-on activities, small group instruction, and interactive learning.
• The TK program will help children develop their academic, social, emotional and language needs.
• After your child finishes TK, he/she will attend a regular kindergarten classroom.

Our Transitional Kindergarten Vision:

Transitional kindergarten is the bridge between preschool and kindergarten. It is a joyful, play-based introduction to school that focuses on developmentally appropriate social, emotional, and academic opportunities for the development of the whole child.