1. Question: I’ve heard that California now offers free Pre-K for all children. What does that mean for my family?
The Governor just approved a new law to provide free Pre-K to every 4-year old in California through the public district and charter schools. Children will start being enrolled in the 2022-23 school year, based on their month of birth, and by 2025, all 4 year olds in California will be able to enroll in free Pre-K, called Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at public district and charter schools, not Kidango.
2. Question: Can I choose to keep my 4 year old at Kidango or another preschool program?Yes, parents have the choice to send their children to the program that meets their needs whether it is a center based preschool or Head Start program like Kidango, family child care provider, or free transitional kindergarten in the public schools.
3. Question: When can my child enroll in free Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?It will depend on the month your child was born. The TK expansion will be rolled in phases starting in the 2022-23 school year.
- Currently, children who turn 5 in September, October or November are eligible for TK.
- In 2022-23, children who turn 5 in December or January will also be eligible for TK.
- In 2023-24, children who turn 5 in February or March will also be eligible for TK.
- In 2024-25, children who turn 5 in April or May will also be eligible for TK.
- In 2025-26, all children will be eligible for TK when they are 4 years old.
The Governor and the Legislature have waived family fees for children who receive a child care and preschool subsidy from July 1, 2021 to June 30th, 2022. Families who are not eligible for a subsidy will continue to pay fees.
5. Question: Will free transitional kindergarten affect me this school year?TK expansion begins in the 2022-2023 school year. The 2021-2022 school year is a planning year and does not affect currently enrolled Kidango parents.
6. Question: Are all 3 year olds eligible for free transitional kindergarten? Are there age requirements?Transitional Kindergarten is for 4 year olds. Community preschools like Kidango and family child care homes will be able to serve more 3 year olds (as well as infants and toddlers).
7. Question: Will free Transitional Kindergarten be full time or part time?The Transitional Kindergarten hours will be determined by the local public school. The recent state budget included money to provide more before and after school and summer programs for children at school, and community preschools and family child care providers may choose to offer before and after school and summer programs as well.
8. Question: My child is currently enrolled in part time preschool at Kidango, does this mean my child can qualify free for a full day program?There are no changes to eligibility for full-day programs at Kidango.
9. Question: Will I have to show proof of income to enroll my child in free pre-k?Free Transitional Kindergarten will be available to all 4 year olds, regardless of family income, just like kindergarten. Eligibility rules for state preschool, child care and Head Start programs like Kidango have not changed.
10. Question: Who should interested families reach out to?
Families who are interested in being part of the planning process for Transitional Kindergarten can contact advocacy@kidango.org or 510-480-8458. To enroll your child in Transitional Kindergarten, families must contact their local school district.
