Verified state guidance

Mississippi Preschool & TK

In Mississippi, children must turn 5 on or before September 1 to enter kindergarten. Mississippi has no transitional kindergarten ("young fives") program; its public early-learning option for younger children is state-funded pre-K. The state funds Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) and State Invested Pre-K (SIP), a free pre-K program open to all four-year-olds regardless of family income. Head Start is available statewide for income-eligible families.

Key early-childhood facts for Mississippi

Kindergarten entrance cutoff: Children must turn 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten.
Free pre-K options: Free state-funded pre-K is available to all four-year-olds through Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) and State Invested Pre-K (SIP).
Notes: Mississippi has no transitional kindergarten program. Its public early-learning pathway before kindergarten is state-funded pre-K (Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) and State Invested Pre-K (SIP)) plus Head Start.

Head Start and early learning resources

Find local Head Start and state pre-K programs: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator

State early education website

https://mdek12.org/earlychildhood/early-learning-collaboratives/

Last updated 6/21/2026. Always confirm current rules with your state education department or local school district.