Enrolling in Kindergarten: What You Need To Know - California

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Enrolling in Kindergarten: What You Need To Know

As you prepare for the first day of kindergarten, you'll want to be informed well in advance about requirements for kindergarten entrance and registration.

By GreatSchools.net Staff

In most states, kindergarten attendance is optional.

Most school districts are required by law to offer a kindergarten program for interested parents.

Districts vary on when they begin taking sign-ups for kindergarten. Most begin pre-registration in early spring for the following fall. The number of hours your child will spend in school each day varies from district to district, although the state requires that students complete a minimum number of hours per year.

Here are some general guidelines on what is required for kindergarten enrollment. Be sure to check with your local school district for their specific requirements, too.

In most states, to be eligible for kindergarten, your child must be at least 5 years of age.

In California, to be eligible for kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old on or before December 2 of the school year.

Although most states are fairly strict in enforcing the deadline date (if your child is not 5 by the designated deadline, he must wait until the following year to start kindergarten), some school districts may allow parents to enroll their children if they turn 5 in the middle of the school year. Most districts choose not to make an exception for these students because of space constraints and possible complications around promotion to first grade. If you feel strongly that your child should start kindergarten and his birthday does not meet the state deadline, it's worth contacting the school district office to see if they will make an exception.

Kindergarten is not mandatory and children are not required to attend school until age 6. Because kindergarten has become increasingly academically oriented and is an important foundation for first grade, the vast majority of families do enroll their children in kindergarten at age 5. Districts may allow parents to enroll children if they turn 5 in the middle of the school year, but most choose not to because of space constraints and possible complications around promotion to first grade.

You have to fill out registration and emergency medical referral forms.

Check with your local district for their requirements.

You may be asked to provide the following:

Proof of your child's age and identity: either a birth certificate or another reliable document stating the child's identity and age (such as a passport, school ID card, school record, report card, military ID, hospital birth record, adoption record or baptismal certificate) If you need another copy of your child's birth certificate, see Vital Records Information.
Proof of residence, such as driver's license, voter/motor registration card, utility bill, rent statement, income tax return statement, proof of home ownership (including a mortgage statement) or any official document showing both your name and address.
Records of vaccination and immunization against specified diseases. Check with your school district to find out which immunizations are required.
Making the Transition to Kindergarten
The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools nationwide to develop a transition plan to help children move smoothly from early childhood programs to elementary school. Schools are also required to provide information on developmental stages and what to expect in kindergarten. Check with your local school district about receiving this information.
Additional Resources
To find out more about your school choice alternatives in California, check the GreatSchools.net School Choice Center.
For more information about kindergarten, in California consult your local school district or check the Kindergarten Overview and the Elementary Education Overview from the California Department of Education Web site as well as The National Association for the Education of Young Children Web site for more information and resources.
Updated November 2005

Comments From GreatSchools.net Users

04/29/2008:

"My son will be entering a very large kindergarten class in VT this fall. There will be 27 children with only 1 teacher and 1 aide. I am very concerned about the lack of supervision and the chaos that will ensue. Does anyone have any feedback on class sizes around the country."

10/22/2007:

"I am feeling abit overwhelemed looking for a school. I use to make fun of parents setting up their kids with preschools and kindergartens while still in the womb! Now I know!!! My son is 4 and is in a 4-year-old kindergarten and I am stressing over what school to send him to next year. The elementary school has three divisions. School of Technology, School of Inguiry, and School of Fine Arts. Then there is the year-round school and Charter school. My son needs to be challenged and stay busy, so that he does not get in trouble. Please help me make a decision."

09/4/2007:

"I have heard that the State of Michigan is talking about pushing up the start date for entering Kindergartners that they need to be 5 by Sept 1st. Is this true? Has it passed and will it be a gradual move up????"

09/4/2007:

"My daugther is going to Kindergarten and I was informed at a private school that she is not allowed by law to be enrolled as she is Mexican national. Is it true? She is under H4 visa as I'm under H1-B visa, meaning we have a legal status to stay in the US. "

08/6/2007:

"I heard that most of Kindergarten school in Kentucky require 1 year of preschool credits. Is this true? Thanks."

07/5/2007:

"Thank you very much for this entire website. We are moving to the USA from Australia inthe next few months. This site has given us many tips and pointers on how to go about finding a school and the requirements for kindergarten. "

11/6/2006:

"This is our first time searching for a school for our first born. What a task! This website has been a lifesaver. Thank you so much for all the valuable information. Especially the article about choosing a school vs charter schools, etc. Very, very useful."

08/17/2006:

"This was great. It cleared some doubts and have good links for further questions. Thanks for your time."

07/18/2006:

"I am from Michigan, and entered kindergarten at the age of 4 (b-day 10/1). I excelled all the way through school, and you would never believe I was younger than any of the other kids. I live in GA, and both of my children have late birthdays, and I hate that they will have to wait until they're 5- almost 6 to enter school. My 3 1/2 is already very bright and is getting bored sitting around the house with me."

05/2/2006:

"We are starting Kinder in the fall for my son. He is five now (November birthday). When I registered him I had to sign a waiver because he is starting a year late based on his birthday. (Cutoff in CA is 12/02). I have yet to meet a professional educator here that doesn't recommend giving them an extra year. One Kinder teacher even held her own son with an April birthday back a year. (seemed a bit excessive myself) My deciding factor was that if I had entered him at 4 turning 5 was he would enter his senior year of high school at 16. High school is tough enough without being so young on top of everything else."

04/24/2006:

"This article was very helpful. I didn't receive my packet in time, so I didn't know what I should bring to my appointment. If not for this article, I would not be prepared."

03/21/2006:

"I'm reading so much on 'NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND' why is kindergarten not mandatory and why are so many schools loosing funding that they have to resort to the kindergarten program going from all day everyday to everyother day. I believe at this young age they will not retain what they have learned if they have a day off in between school days. I have had the opportunity for one of my children to be in half day and the other in all day everyday. The half day is so caotic, the children don't have time to finish anything and what about the children that need that little extra help. Yes, children should know some things but, after all, the teachers are there to teach our children. The teachers cannot do the job they need to do if the Government does not step in and make sure the schools are properly funded. Maybe the kindergarten entrance age needs to be raised to 5.5 or 6 so they can retain some to most of what they learn. Ohio is at the bottom of the educational support, ! I just hope that in 2 years kindergarten issues are resolved because I have one more child, my half day child is one of many children in his class that had 1st grade twice (was my decision) and is now on an IEP in 5th grade, the all day child is excelling. What will become of my 3rd child? Will the government change the standards on the IEP's? Are the IEP's allowing too much intervention so the child is really not learning a thing. ALL DAY EVERYDAY!!!! Stay at home mom's need to be commended but, get over it and let the children learn sooner and quicker in this fast pased world. I am a stay home mom and am a firm believer of All Day. We all need to get on the Governments back and feed the words back to them NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND! "

12/5/2005:

"Reading the article and the posts confirmed my decision to give my precocious 4 year year old an extra year of childhood fun. At age 3 1/2 he was in a day care center's pre-K program and completed a full phonics curriculum and did well among older peers. This year he's in a more traditional MWF morning preschool that focuses on thematic lessons, socializing, playing & discovering. He takes weekly gymnastic lessons that build on many of the same social & physcial skills he learned last summer in swim lessons - taking turns, following cirections, physical coordination. I'm glad he gets to enjoy this year of being 4, and am confident we'll find a kindergarten program that will help him continue to thrive. I no longer worry about him being bored in school because I've taught him how to be self-content & to make his own fun."

09/28/2005:

"To assure your child the ultimate chance of success in school, just be certain he/she is among the oldest in his/her classroom. It is my belief that the development of a positive self-concept is key to school success; the young, intellectually gifted are often intimidated by the older, more mature and physically capable classmates to the extent they feel inferior and as a result may ultimately not realize their full potential. This has been my observation as a teacher for 34 years (now retired), as a parent and now as a grandparent. My husband and I followed that principle and made certain that our three children were among the oldest in their classes and they in turn have followed in the guidance of their children (our grandchildren). I am happy to report that all have been successful both in and outside the classroom. Nine out of nine. . .you can't beat those odds!"

09/14/2005:

"After recently relocating to South Carolina I learned of the policy regarding kindergarten. My daughter is 18 days too young by Richland District 2's standards. I requested an exception to policy and paid to have my daughter tested for entrance into the kindergarten. The testing standards the district requires are above average scores(too high). So before you think about paying for the private testing. Don't, unless your child is a genius! Then why start with kindergarten they could go on to first grade! This policy needs revising."

08/26/2005:

"I HAVE A GRANDSON WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PDD(PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER WITH SENSORY ISSUES. I HAVE HIM AN IEP DONE IN SCHOOL TALKED WITH TEACHERS THEIR MAIN CONCERN WAS WHY ISNT HE POTTY TRAINED? AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR HIM BEING THAT WAY. MY QUESTION IS WHY WITH THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT DO TEACHERS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MILD TO MODERATE AUTISM BY REFUSING TO GET SOMEONE IN THE CLASSROOM WHO CAN HELP WITH HIS POTTY NEEDS WHILE IN SCHOOL. IF I GO HE WILL WANT TO GO BACK HOME WITH ME AND I THINK HE SHOULD STAY IN SCHOOL"

08/12/2005:

"Thank you for the information we need to know about registering our children for Kindergarten. With regard to knowing what age is right. This is as unique as your son or daughter. Each child grows, develops and learns at a different rate. Don't let the age factor hinder your response in deciding if he/she is ready. Do a little assessing on your own. The BRIGANCE K & 1 Screen is an excellent way to find out what your child knows. Or use the same skills that this assesses and see on your own. Some things this assessment covers: Verbally gives their name, age, address, birth date; Identifies and names colors; Recognizes and names pictures (dog, cat, boy, girl, etc.); Visually discriminates symbols & shapes (square, circle, +, etc.); Copies different shapes & symbols; Gross-Motor skills; Counts to 10...20..etc.; Identifies & points to body parts; Listens to, remembers and follows verbal simple verbal directions; Matches quantities to numbers (2, 6, 3, etc.); and can print his/her name. There are also other things to observe: speech (is it easily understood?), hearing, ! vision, how does he/she hold a pencil, is he/she right or left handed? Best Wishes to All! -South Dakota"

07/11/2005:

"WOW! I can't believe I forgot about this major problem I had with the school system! I used to say the very same things about my daughter and her need to be educated earlier than some others. So why shouldn't she be able to be tested and given the opportunity to start school now. She's so advanced and I don't want her to waste away. It's not fair to her that she can't start school when she is mentally ready. She is only four days shy of being five, why can't she just be tested and allowed to attend school? 'This was not fair for her' - I remember telling friends and family. My daughter is now eight, and she is in the third grade. She was tested and accepted in the GATE Program. Her GATE teacher said that she was impressed with her scores, they were 'exceptionally high.' I'm thankful for this article because as I sit here today and look back on the time that I felt so strongly that my daughter needed to start her journey into the never-ending school-force, I'm glad that that did not happen at the young age of four, barely five. I have totally forgotten about the days when I would beat myself up because I felt I wasn't keeping my daughter challenged and occupied all day long. I felt that the best thing for her was to be in school with a teacher who would know what things she would need. Some parents might not understand this. How hard could a four year old be to keep busy? But, some of you parents with precocious toddlers know the feeling of thinking that the best thing for your child is a teacher and a school. They would know what to do to keep their little minds busy and occupied. Surly they would do a much better job than I, because I don't know what it is exactly that they need at this age. Nothing you do seems to satisfy their need to learn. And all the toys! You try everything that is at or above the age guidelines. But, they are still bored and into things or sitting pathetically on the couch wasting their brain on the boob-tube. You feel like a failure, but you have a new baby to feed and change, or whatever it is. You can tell that they really don't want to be watching the stupid cartoons. But none of the toys you spent thousands of dollars for interests them. They won't play by themselves. The guilt!! To this day I still feel badly that my daughter doesn't have any toys, but she just doesn't play with them! Of course she says she wants them and will play with them, NOT! In August my baby-girl will be nine, and she will begin fourth grade. She is amazing! She's bright, beautiful, caring and considerate with lots of friends that keep her plenty occupied. So, the only thing that I can think to say about this subject is: I miss having my little precious, gifted and talented daughter home with me! I miss her so badly that some days I ask her if she would like to stay home from school and do something with Mom. After all, she is an 'A' student, right? She can miss some school days here and there just to hang with Mom, right!!! And, so there it is: 'If you give a mouse a muffin .. ' I think I'll read that book to my daughter tonight, just one more time!!!! "

06/7/2005:

"I am a kindergarten teacher and I see that every child develops at a different rate. A child needs time to grow and develop in many ways, I believe that no child should be pressured into learning new skills before he or she is ready. Most young children need individual attention, and when they enter kindergarten this is a task that teachers struggle with because they have so many students that need attention at the same time. A kindergartener develops independent work habits and when their not developmentally ready this hinders them. With the No Child Left Behind Law academic testing is required, even for kindergartners, and testing can reveal how they struggle for success. Children are only in our lives for a short while please take the precious time and savor the moments while you can, let them be children first and students second."

05/31/2005:

"This was a great article to provide parents exactly what they should look forward to in getting their child registered for kindgergarten. I'll be registering a child for the first time and this articlar has made me feel so much more knowledgeable about the process. Thanks so much and have a great day!"

05/19/2005:

"My daughter misses the cutoff date by a day. I am very upset that she will not be able to attend any schooling for another year, She is already so much more advanced than children her age and some older. She has a 5 year old cousin and my best friends son is older than her by six months and emotionally, academically & socially they are not even close to being on her level. I am not bragging just stating facts. She knows all her alphabet,recognizes all letters,Writes her name, her sisters, brothers,mommy & Daddy as well as a few other small words .SHE can count to 100!! She does not get this from me but, her father. She is like a sponge that soaks up information. She becomes bored with my lesson plans so, what do i do with a child eager to learn. I am not a teacher, i do not know the best way to challenge and feed her appetite for learning. So, should she not be in school because she is too young.She will be four soon and they have a very good learning program here for Four year olds but, will not take her. I think if a! child misses the date they should be given some kind of learning and emotional apptitude test. If they pass they can go. If they fail they cant. I dont think a Gifted or intelligent child should be denied education because of an age number!!"

04/28/2005:

"As of 2003, the age of compulsory school attendance in Texas was lowered to 5--making enrollment in either Pre-K or Kinder mandatory (unless the child tests out and can go to first). In order to enroll in a K5 program, the student must be 5 years old prior to Sept. 1. K4 (or Pre-K) programs are generally only available in the public schools to students who are low-income, are language challenged, or have special needs. Variations in the availability of programs, however, occur by district. Educational programs are under local control, though the state does set minimum curriculum requirements."

04/25/2005:

"We are from California and in a year round school. My daughter had been in a preschool taught from a kindergarten teacher w/her MBA degree in education. This teacher knew what my daughter needed to know and be prepared for in kindergarten. She was in her preschool from 3.5 yrs old to 4.5 yrs old. She started kindergarten on july 7th.. her (5th) bday was not until 9/28th..however shes is one of the top students in her class. (12/2 cut off date)She has had no struggle thus far. It's my belief that if the child has self confidence and knows her alphabet capitals, and lowercase, knows her #'s to atleast 10, can spell and sound and WRITE her own name.. that child is ready for kindergarten. She has 4 more weeks and continues to receive 'advanced' on all her marks for the different subjects. From reading the posts below I guess that makes her the ONE out of TEN that do well.. hope this is encouraging to other parents!"

04/20/2005:

"I do not believe it is fair to say that at 4 years old a child is not ready for kindergarden. Child A has a birthday in August and turns 5 and meets the SEP 1 cutoff date. However, Child B has a birthday in October so he does not make the cutoff date. But, the two only have a month or two apart depending on actual day. Are you telling me that Child A is ready and Child B is not. I believe that is false. Especially if Child B had been in a school environment since 18 months and Child A had never set foot in any type of school type atmospher. The cutoff date should not stop October, Novemeber, and December babies from starting kindergarden with the other children born in the same year as they. "

03/21/2005:

"I am a kindergarten teacher in California and have seen the difference that age makes. Almost all 4 year olds are NOT ready for kindergarten. In 5 years of teaching kindergarten I have had 1 who was. I talk to parents of 4 year olds who aren’t ready the second week of school and suggest they wait a year, but most don't. I then watch as these students loose confidence and struggle. Some have parents who work with them constantly at home and they make it on grade level, but just barely. I sometimes feel like they do it to prove me wrong. They push them when they should just let them enjoy being a kid, playing in the dirt, exploring their environment, growing. Even the students who enter at 4 and are academically ready, what happens when they are in Jr. High and High School? Their peers are a year older and peer pressure is a big thing at that age. What about boys and sports? That shouldn't matter you say. It does at that age when you're the smallest and youngest boy on the fie! ld. We tend to think about now. How will they do in kindergarten? Unfortunately, we don't always look at the big picture. Does it really matter if they graduate High School at 17 or 18? Nobody can tell the future, but if giving your child and extra year to grow could help, would you give that gift to them? I've never heard of waiting a year hurting a child's self-esteem, but I've seen how not waiting and even retention can."

03/4/2005:

"Wow, I must say I am thankful for this article as well the stories shared by other parents. My daughter is 4 years old now and her father and I have been contemplating placing her in kindergarten. She has been academically tested and is well ready; however only being 4 and not as much social interaction, as well, this article, I feel I will wait until she is 5 and ready without a doubt. Besides kids are growing up so fast these days, why not let her just be 4 and really smart, and no doubts when entering kindergarten at the most common age. Thanks. :)"

03/3/2005:

"I faced the difficult decision on whether to enroll my child in school last year. My daughter has an Aug. 31 bday so she began Kindergarten at age 4 and the youngest in her class. I was torn about sending her because she was so young. My husband reluctantly agreed. He felt she should stay home another year. Plus, she had never attended daycare or preschool and I had only been able to leave my job and be home with her for 2 years. She had some separation anxiety after the first week but after that she settled in and has fared beautifully both socially and academically. Her reading skills are excellent, she is well behaved and makes friends easily. In the second month of school, she was chosen as a Kid of Character in her school's recognition program. She is right on track with everything so far. She is an only child which makes interaction with other children even more important. Even though she's doing so well, I still second guess our decision. Her peers are losing teeth ! and riding bikes without training wheels and she feels left out sometimes. Pros and cons all the way around. Maybe it would have been better had she been the oldest but her teacher assured me that she was ready. I hope her enthusiasm and success continues into grade school and that we didn't create future problems because of her age."

02/17/2005:

"THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARENTS THAT SHARED THEIR STORIES! My daughter turned 5 on September 1...ironically, that is the CA cut-off date to enroll her in Kindergarten. As a result, her teachers are seeing unruly behavior, and she is really struggling to keep up.After talking to my mom, i was also the youngster in my Kindergarten class...and I had a lot of troubles trying to keep up in all grades. I have thought about holding my daughter back a year, and now that I read these stories, I am pretty sure I will. Thank you. "

02/11/2005:

"I think it is ridiculous to have a law that kindergarden is not manditory!! these children that miss out on kindergarden are at a definite disadvantage and most have to repeat first grade because of it. that law needs to be changed!"

02/2/2005:

"I really don't know what to think. I thought my 9 year old daughter was having a tough time because we live in Florida, but I see that the situation is nation-wide. Florida cut-off date is 9/1 my daughter's birthday in 8/28. Since Kindergarten, her teachers have complained that she was slow to finish her work. Now in 4th Grade, she is still slow. I had her tested at the school. The testing was performed at the end of 2nd Grade and the results were given to me after 3rd Grade began. I was told she had a two year delay with her visual-motor. Add that all her peers are 1 to 2 years older than she is. That is a significant gap. The school told me that she had average intelligence and that she should be making Bs and Cs. Well that was not the case. The school also told me that no further testing will be done, case closed, I went home crying. Desperate with the 3rd Grade FCAT, I enrolled her in Huntington Learning Center. She was tested to see at what level she was at a! nd I was surprised that her phonetics was at kindergarten level. Her sight words at 1st Grade level. The same with math. Four thousand dollars later, when she passed the Reading FCAT I had to take her out of Huntington because I couldn't afford it any more, but she was not at level yet. Now in 4th Grade, she is still not at level and with her doctor's request I hired a private Reading Recovery tutor and she is getting tested privately. This year I estimate that it will cost me two to three thousand dollars for her to pass 4th Grade. Every year from 1st Grade to 4th Grade she has had an AIP. Her Reading Recovery teacher has noticed a strong oral language development delay. We are waiting for the results of the testing. We even tried ADD medication, but we stopped to see what the results of the testing will be. I don't believe that I saw some of the things my daughter is learning until 8th grade. I graduated from High School and College and have a good job. I also st! arted early, just as she did. I don't believe her age is the ! problem. I do not believe in the Public School System. I have spent so much money, that it could have paid for a private school. There are many parents that have their kids struggling in school. Who is making all these decisions that affect our kids and ourselves?"