Transitional Kindergarten

SCOE’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) team partners with school districts, community groups, and private providers to help ensure all 4-year-olds have access to rich educational opportunities grounded in the latest research. The team’s approach is inclusive of all types of providers and educators who serve young learners to help build social, emotional, and academic foundations for these young learners.

To be eligible for TK, children must have received the same immunizations required for kindergarten. All school districts are required to offer a TK option for families, although not every school is required to have its own TK class. To learn more about what your local school district offers, contact the district directly.

Over the past several school years, California’s public schools have been phasing in transitional kindergarten (TK), an optional expansion of kindergarten. TK will be available to all 4-year-olds at no cost by the 2025-26 school year.

Part of a two-year kindergarten program, TK is one of several educational choices available to families with 4-year-olds. Sonoma County families also have the option for their children to attend programs that include California State Preschool, Head Start, community-based or private preschool programs, or licensed family child care, or to receive care provided by family, friends or neighbors.