What does it all mean?
California has begun phasing in the new eligibility entry requirements for kindergarten.
By 2014 children must be five years of age by September 1 for kindergarten eligibility. The 2012-2013 school year requires kindergarten students to be five years of age by November 1, 2012. For the 2013-2014 school year, students must be five by October 1, 2013.
Transitional Kindergarten Now In Question
California planned to offer statewide optional two-year transitional early entry kindergarten programs in public schools this coming year. It now appears highly unlikely due to budget cuts. Children previously eligible for kindergarten (five by December 2), would have been eligible to enroll in the optional two-year program. The purpose of transitional early entry kindergarten is to provide students with an academic foundation and social skills necessary for success in kindergarten.
The proposed transitional public school kindergarten program is particularly important for children not attending pre-kindergarten programs and those attending pre-kindergarten programs without early literacy and academic components in their curriculum.
There are schools that offer two-year transitional kindergarten programs.
La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten in Carlsbad, CA has successfully offered kindergarten and two-year early entry programs since 1991. According to Executive Director, Cindy Cesena, “Eligibility is based upon a student’s demonstrated developmental and academic readiness skills necessary for classroom and personal success.”
Parents of four and five year old children are faced with important decisions in the coming months. “For children not yet ready for a comprehensive academic program, Cesena suggests;
- Enrollment in a pre-kindergarten program with an engaging early literacy based curriculum to foster and enhance learning and social skills.
- For children ready for a more academic approach, a two-year early entry kindergarten program is an excellent choice to facilitate the joy of learning.
To find out more about La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten’s Transitional & early entry kindergarten programs contact, Cindy Cesena by calling 760-436-2797 or fill in the simple request form below.
La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten is nationally accredited school located in Carlsbad, Ca. also serves the educational needs of surrounding communities of Encinitas, Solana Beach, Rancho Sante Fe, Vista and San Marcos.
Article: Transitional kindergarten, early entry kindergarten, and the new age requirements in California
