How old does a child have to be to start kindergarten?
In almost every state, a child must turn 5 years old by a set cutoff date to start kindergarten. The most common cutoff is September 1, but it ranges from July to as late as January — and a handful of states let local districts decide.
A child must turn 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten
Turns 5 by September 1
Starts kindergarten this school year.
Turns 5 after September 1
Waits until the next school year — a good fit for TK or pre-K.
The most common rule. Your state's exact date may differ — see the table below.
What age is kindergarten?
Kindergarten is for 5-year-olds. Because the cutoff is tied to a birthday, most kindergartners are 5 when school starts and turn 6 during the year. A child whose birthday falls just after the cutoff will be on the older side of their class the following year.
The year before kindergarten — preschool and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) — is for 3- and 4-year-olds building the skills kindergarten expects.
Kindergarten age cutoff by state
A child must turn 5 by each state's date to start kindergarten that year. Tap any state for its full pre-K and TK guidance.
| State | Must turn 5 by |
|---|---|
| Alabama | On or before September 1 |
| Alaska | On or before September 1 |
| Arizona | Before September 1 |
| Arkansas | On or before August 1 |
| California | On or before September 1 |
| Colorado | Set by local district |
| Connecticut | On or before January 1 |
| Delaware | On or before August 31 |
| Florida | On or before September 1 |
| Georgia | On or before September 1 |
| Hawaii | On or before July 31 |
| Idaho | On or before September 1 |
| Illinois | On or before September 1 |
| Indiana | On or before August 1 |
| Iowa | On or before September 15 |
| Kansas | On or before August 31 |
| Kentucky | Before August 1 |
| Louisiana | On or before September 30 |
| Maine | On or before October 15 |
| Maryland | On or before September 1 |
| Massachusetts | Set by local district |
| Michigan | On or before September 1 |
| Minnesota | On or before September 1 |
| Mississippi | On or before September 1 |
| Missouri | Before August 1 |
| Montana | On or before September 10 |
| Nebraska | On or before July 31 |
| Nevada | Set by local district |
| New Hampshire | Set by local district |
| New Jersey | On or before October 1 |
| New Mexico | Before September 1 |
| New York | Set by local district |
| North Carolina | On or before August 31 |
| North Dakota | Before August 1 |
| Ohio | Set by local district |
| Oklahoma | On or before September 1 |
| Oregon | On or before September 1 |
| Pennsylvania | Set by local district |
| Rhode Island | On or before September 1 |
| South Carolina | On or before September 1 |
| South Dakota | On or before September 1 |
| Tennessee | On or before August 15 |
| Texas | On or before September 1 |
| Utah | On or before September 1 |
| Vermont | On or before January 1 |
| Virginia | On or before September 30 |
| Washington | On or before August 31 |
| West Virginia | Before July 1 |
| Wisconsin | On or before September 1 |
| Wyoming | On or before August 1 |
| District of Columbia | On or before September 30 |
Covering all 50 states + D.C.; 44 have a single statewide cutoff date, and the rest set kindergarten entrance age locally. Always confirm with your district.
What if my child just misses the cutoff?
If your child turns 5 just after your state's cutoff, they'll usually wait a year for kindergarten. That year is exactly what Transitional Kindergarten and public pre-K are built for — an extra year of early learning and social growth before kindergarten begins.
Frequently asked questions
- How old does a child have to be to start kindergarten?
- In most states a child must be 5 years old by a set cutoff date to start kindergarten. The most common cutoff is September 1, but it ranges from July to as late as January in a few states, and some states leave it to local districts.
- What is the kindergarten cutoff date?
- The kindergarten cutoff is the date by which a child must turn 5 to enroll for that school year. A child who turns 5 after the cutoff usually waits until the following year.
- Can a 4-year-old start kindergarten?
- Generally no — most states require a child to be 5 by the cutoff. A four-year-old who just misses the cutoff is often a good fit for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or pre-K instead.
- What happens if my child just misses the kindergarten cutoff?
- If your child turns 5 just after the cutoff, they typically wait a year for kindergarten. That extra year is what Transitional Kindergarten and pre-K programs are designed for.