Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions regarding California state law relating to kindergarten.

Admission Information
Program Information

Note: Additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding programmatic requirements for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) can be found on the Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) FAQ web page. Additional FAQs regarding the fiscal requirements and the related penalties for TK are available on the California Department of Education's (CDE's) Transitional Kindergarten web page.

Expand All | Collapse All

Admission Information

  1. At what age are children required to attend school in California?
  2. Must children attend kindergarten?
  3. What is the minimum age for admittance to kindergarten in California?
  4. May a child whose fifth birthday falls after the above date be admitted to kindergarten once the child has reached his or her fifth birthday?
  5. Are there immunization requirements for school entry? (Updated 29-May-2025)
  6. What are the eligibility criteria for kindergarten enrollment?
  7. If my age-ineligible child completes a full year of kindergarten in a private school, must the public school admit him to first grade?
  8. Can students who are age eligible for kindergarten attend transitional kindergarten?
  9. Can children who turn five years old after September 1 start kindergarten at the beginning of the school year?

Program Information

  1. Must districts offer kindergarten?
  2. How long is a kindergarten school day? (Updated 14-June-2022)
  3. Do the subject-matter standards apply to kindergarten?
  4. Is there a parental permission form to continue a student in kindergarten?
  5. Do parents have the right to hold back their child in kindergarten even if the child has met the school's criteria?
  6. I am a parent of a kindergartner, and my child’s teacher has suggested retention. What are my rights as a parent?
  7. Is the absolute maximum for retention in kindergarten one additional year?

Related Content

Additional information about the child development teacher permit is available on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development Permits Website External link opens in new window or tab. . For further information regarding appropriate assignment and authorization please contact the CTC at the following email: careerguidance@ctc.ca.gov.

Return to Top

Questions:   Universal PreKindergarten Support | UPK@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Friday, May 30, 2025