TK age & eligibility in California (2026–27)
California’s Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is now open to every 4-year-old in the state. Here’s the direct answer, the cutoff date, and a full date-of-birth eligibility chart — updated for the 2026–27 school year.
A child who turns 4 by September 1, 2026 is eligible for TK in the 2026–27 school year.
That means birthdays from September 2, 2021 through September 1, 2022. TK is a free public-school grade — no income limits, no cost. Turn 4 by Sept 1 and your child qualifies. (A child who turns 4 on September 2 or later waits until the following year.)
California TK & kindergarten eligibility chart by date of birth
Find your child’s birthday range to see which school year they qualify for TK, and which year they move on to kindergarten. The highlighted row is the current 2026–27 TK year — the first fully “settled” year of universal TK, where the rule is simply turn 4 by September 1.
| Date of birth | TK-eligible school year | Kindergarten year |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 2, 2016 – Sept 1, 2017 | Not eligible for TK | 2022–2023 |
| Sept 2, 2017 – Feb 2, 2018 | 2022–2023 | 2023–2024 |
| Feb 3, 2018 – Sept 1, 2018 | Not eligible for TK | 2023–2024 |
| Sept 2, 2018 – Apr 2, 2019 | 2023–2024 | 2024–2025 |
| Apr 3, 2019 – Sept 1, 2019 | Not eligible for TK | 2024–2025 |
| Sept 2, 2019 – June 2, 2020 | 2024–2025 | 2025–2026 |
| June 3, 2020 – Sept 1, 2020 | Not eligible for TK | 2025–2026 |
| Sept 2, 2020 – Sept 1, 2021 | 2025–2026 | 2026–2027 |
| Sept 2, 2021 – Sept 1, 2022 | 2026–2027Current | 2027–2028 |
| Sept 2, 2022 – Sept 1, 2023 | 2027–2028 | 2028–2029 |
| Sept 2, 2023 – Sept 1, 2024 | 2028–2029 | 2029–2030 |
Eligibility is based on California Department of Education guidance and may vary slightly by district. Always confirm enrollment dates with your local school district. Not legal or enrollment advice.
Why California’s TK rule is finally simple
Transitional Kindergarten started with the 2010 Kindergarten Readiness Act, originally for children who turned 5 in the “grey area” between September 2 and December 2 — kids who were a touch too young for kindergarten under the old December 2 cutoff.
To give schools time to add classrooms, staff, and curriculum, California expanded eligibility gradually instead of all at once. The birthday window grew by roughly two months each year:
- 2022–23: eligible if turning 5 between Sept 2 and Feb 2.
- 2023–24: eligible if turning 5 between Sept 2 and Apr 2.
- 2024–25: eligible if turning 5 between Sept 2 and June 2.
- 2025–26 onward: districts must offer TK to every child who turns 4 by September 1 of the school year.
With the phase-in complete, 2026–27 is the first fully settled year of “TK for All.” The rule no longer shifts — it’s stable: turn 4 by September 1, and your child qualifies. That makes TK what many families think of as a free, universal year of public preschool.
Should you enroll your child in TK?
TK is optional in California — so is kindergarten. If your child is age-eligible, it’s worth touring your assigned school’s TK classroom and asking about the daily routine and curriculum. For many families, a free public TK year is a great bridge between preschool and kindergarten; others prefer to keep their child in a familiar preschool program for another year.
Not sure how TK compares to the other early-learning options? See TK vs preschool vs kindergarten or our overview of what Transitional Kindergarten is.
Frequently asked questions
- What age is TK in California?
- TK in California is for 4-year-olds. Under the state’s finished TK-for-All rollout, a child is eligible for Transitional Kindergarten if they turn 4 by September 1 of the school year. For 2026–27, that means any child born between September 2, 2021 and September 1, 2022.
- What is the California TK cutoff date for 2026–2027?
- September 1, 2026. A child who turns 4 on or before September 1, 2026 can enroll in TK for the 2026–27 school year. A child who turns 4 on September 2 or later waits until the following school year (2027–28).
- Is California TK free, and is there an income limit?
- TK is a public-school grade, so it is free — no tuition and no income requirement. Every qualifying 4-year-old in the state is eligible, regardless of family income.
- Is TK mandatory in California?
- No. TK and even kindergarten are optional in California. Many families use TK as a free extra year of early learning before kindergarten, but you can also keep your child in preschool or at home instead.
- What comes after TK?
- After TK, children enter traditional kindergarten the following school year. TK is a single bridge year — it is not a repeatable grade. See the chart above for how a birth date maps to both the TK year and the kindergarten year.
- My child just misses the cutoff — what are my options?
- If your child turns 4 just after September 1, they will start TK the next school year. In the meantime, preschool, a free pre-K program, or Head Start are common alternatives. You can confirm exact enrollment dates with your local school district, and check our state page for California’s full rules.
Helpful guides for parents
Originally published July 3, 2022. Updated June 23, 2026.