What is TK?

TK is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate.

Pursuant to EC 48000(c), a child is eligible for TK if the child will have his or her fifth birthday between September 2 and February 2.

How are TK programs different than preschool or other child development programs offered by LEAs for three and four-year-old children?

TK programs, as defined in the statute, are not preschool classrooms or child development programs. They are part of the K-12 public school system and are in the first year of a two-year kindergarten program, which uses a modified kindergarten curriculum. Pursuant to EC 48000(f), TK programs are intended to be aligned to the California Preschool Learning Foundations developed by the CDE. TK programs are required to be taught by a teacher who meets credentialing requirements.

Preschool or other child development programs, offered by LEAs to prepare three and four-year-old children for school, are not required to be taught by persons meeting teacher credential requirements. Instead, they must meet separate child development permit requirements. LEAs should ensure that parents understand the difference between various locally implemented preschool programs intended to support kindergarten readiness and the transition to kindergarten from the TK program delineated in the statute.

Please contact a school near you to inquire about TK. Thank you.