Transitional kindergarten

Find transitional kindergarten (TK) near you

Search by city or ZIP code to see the campuses with a TK class near you.

5,529

campuses had a TK class in 2025–26Of the 9,812 open public and charter campuses we list in California.

Transitional kindergarten (TK) is California’s free public program for four-year-olds. It is a full school year before kindergarten.

Not every campus offers it. Find your city below. Every count comes from the state’s 2025–26 enrollment count, taken on one day each October. For the differences between pre-K, TK and preschool, see Pre-K vs TK vs preschool in California: a 2026 parent’s guide.

Eligibility

Who can start TK in 2027–28?

Children who turn 4 by September 1, 2027 can start, and it’s free.

Age

Is my child old enough?

A birthday from September 2, 2022 through September 1, 2023 (our arithmetic from the rule). A child who turns 5 by September 1 starts kindergarten instead.

Rule: California Education Code § 48000 (opens in a new tab)

Cost

Does TK cost anything?

No. TK is a free public school year before kindergarten, and enrolling is optional. Hours, before- and after-school care and open seats vary by campus, so ask the school.

Starting ages and cutoff dates →

Where to enroll

Through your school district

Register through the district, and ask which campus serves your address. Each charter school takes its own applications.

How charter applications work →

Find a campus

Which cities have the most TK campuses?

Los Angeles has the most, with 301 campuses.

  1. 1Los Angeles301 campuses7,982 children in TK
  2. 2San Diego169 campuses6,541 children in TK
  3. 3San Jose120 campuses4,375 children in TK
  4. 4Fresno117 campuses4,778 children in TK
  5. 5Sacramento115 campuses3,777 children in TK
  6. 6Bakersfield94 campuses4,547 children in TK
  7. 7Stockton73 campuses2,088 children in TK
  8. 8San Francisco59 campuses1,310 children in TK
  9. 9Oakland56 campuses1,538 children in TK
  10. 10Modesto55 campuses1,945 children in TK

Campuses with a TK class and their TK students, 2025–26. Source: California Department of Education, October enrollment count.

All 882 cities with a TK class, A–Z

Before TK

Too young for TK? Where can my child go?

California has 25,493 licensed child care programs we list.

25,493

licensed child care programs

If your child isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28, search them by city or ZIP code, from centers to family child care homes, and ask each one about ages and openings.

Find a preschoolPre-K vs TK vs preschool in California: a 2026 parent’s guide

Licensed programs from the California Community Care Licensing Division: child care centers as of August 13, 2026, family child care homes as of May 25, 2025. A license is not a quality rating or a current opening.

Data source: California Department of Education (opens in a new tab) · October enrollment count 2025–26. How Scope Scores work

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