Transitional Kindergarten
Transitional kindergarten: what it is, how it differs from traditional kindergarten and a look at the pros and cons of this step in your child’s education.
Author
Katie Wickliff
Published:
June 2025
Key takeaways
- • Transitional kindergarten serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten for younger students.
- • Transitional kindergarten originated in California as a way to support students who missed the age cutoff for kindergarten.
- • Slower pace, more emphasis on play, and a modified curriculum are all ways that transitional kindergarten benefits students.
Depending on where you live, you might have come across the term “transitional kindergarten” and wondered what it means and whether it impacts your child. This article will define transitional kindergarten and give a brief overview of how and why it began. We’ll also explain how transitional kindergarten differs from traditional kindergarten and preschool, and discuss some of the advantages and potential drawbacks. We hope you’ll emerge with a better understanding of transitional kindergarten and how it might fit into your child’s early education. Let’s get started!
What is transitional kindergarten?
Transitional kindergarten is often referred to as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, or the first year of a two-year kindergarten experience. Transitional kindergarten typically follows a modified kindergarten curriculum geared toward younger 5-year-olds, helping them build the academic, social, and emotional skills that they’ll need to thrive in traditional kindergarten and beyond.
The origin of transitional kindergarten
The concept of transitional kindergarten first originated in California in 2010. When the Kindergarten Readiness Act changed the kindergarten entry cutoff date from December 2 to September 1, transitional kindergarten was created as a way to support those students who missed the cutoff, i.e, those turning 5 between September 2nd and December 2.
Since then, many states–such as Michigan, Illinois, and Washington–have developed transitional kindergarten programs, especially as more and more research supports the importance of high-quality early education. While these programs may look different than California’s original program, they share a common goal of better preparing young children for kindergarten success.
Table of contents
- What is it?
- Versus traditional kindergarten
- Versus preschool
- Pros and cons
- FAQs
Kindergarten vs Transitional Kindergarten
There are several similarities and differences between transitional kindergarten and traditional kindergarten. Here’s a clear breakdown to help parents understand how they compare:
Similarities
Differences
This chart outlines the differences between kindergarten and transitional kindergarten:
In short, transitional kindergarten is a bridge year for younger students who may benefit from extra time to develop before entertaining traditional kindergarten.
Transitional Kindergarten vs Preschool
Here are similarities and differences between transitional kindergarten and preschool to help parents understand these two early learning options.
Similarities
Differences
This chart outlines the differences between transitional kindergarten and preschool:
Pros and Cons of Transitional Kindergarten
While transitional kindergarten is designed to benefit students who could benefit from a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, there are advantages and potential drawbacks to every educational option. Understanding these pros and cons can help you make the best choice for your child and family.
Pros of Transitional Kindergarten
Transitional kindergarten provides a unique opportunity for younger students to ease into school in a developmentally appropriate way, giving them extra time to grow before jumping into a kindergarten setting. Since the curriculum is modified and designed to meet the needs of this specific age group, families can count on plenty of time for their child to build academic and social/emotional readiness skills that they’ll need in kindergarten. Additionally, transitional kindergarten is taught by fully credentialed elementary teachers and is free for families, making it a high quality, accessible educational option.
Cons of Transitional Kindergarten
While transitional kindergarten is a fantastic option for many families, it does have potential drawbacks. First, transitional kindergarten isn’t offered in some states, if you’re considering this option, make sure it’s available in your area. Secondly, only kids within a very narrow range (September 2- December 2) are eligible to participate in transitional kindergarten, so it excludes many children who could benefit from a modified kindergarten curriculum. It’s also important to note that some children in transitional kindergarten classrooms might actually be ready for traditional kindergarten and may lose interest or become disengaged if they aren’t being challenged appropriately.
FAQs
Differences between kindergarten and transitional kindergarten include: a modified curriculum, slower pace, and more emphasis on play and exploration. Transitional kindergarten is also for children with a narrow birthday range–from September 2-December 2 in California.
In most cases, children go from transitional kindergarten to kindergarten, not first grade. Transitional kindergarten is designed as a bridge year for students who need more time before entering kindergarten. If your child is experiencing success in transitional kindergarten, try providing them with more enrichment opportunities, such as Dreambox Math. This interactive math program provides kids with fun ways to get the extra challenge (or extra support) that they need to remain excited about school.
Transitional kindergarten is a fantastic idea for many students. It acts as a stepping stone between preschool and kindergarten for younger students, helping them develop the skills they’ll need in kindergarten and beyond.
About the Author
Katie Wickliff
Katie holds a master’s degree in Education, has over 15 years of education experience as a primary classroom teacher, and is Orton-Gillingham certified tutor. Most importantly, Katie is the mother of two primary school students, ages 8 and 11. She is passionate about maths education and firmly believes that the right tools and support will help every student reach their full potential.
