TK, Preschool, or Childcare? How to Choose the Right Path for Your 4-Year-Old

Children learn through play, whether that’s at home, at the park, or in the classroom. Children need to play to develop important skills and engage with the world around them — and just like learning to talk or walk, playing has its own developmental stages.

To better meet the needs of children who miss the age cutoff for kindergarten, California expanded transitional kindergarten (TK) to provide developmentally appropriate play-based curriculum for all 4-year-olds that allows children to be active and have fun while learning important school readiness skills for reading, writing, mathematics, and social-emotional development  such as learning to listen to directions and take turns. 

While parents are not required to enroll their 4-year-olds in TK and options may vary by district, it provides another option for families to support their children’s social and emotional development at no cost.

So, how do you know which early education setting is right for your child? Rita Palet, executive director of early education at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) offers some food for thought for parents.

You know your child best — you are their first teacher. 
Rita Palet, executive director, early education, SDCOE

Choose what fits best for your child and family

You know the needs of your child and family better than anyone. Parents should consider these questions:

• Does your child play well with others? Can they answer common questions and follow simple directions?
• Is your child ready for full-day classes, or would part-day classes better meet their social and emotional needs? 
• If you have older siblings, would it be better to apply to a state-funded preschool on the elementary school campus if you meet eligibility requirements, to simplify morning and afternoon routines? 
• If one or both parents work outside the home, do you need childcare outside traditional school hours? Consider whether you have a family member or friend who can help with before-or-after-school care or whether you should apply to extended learning if offered by your local school. 

Explore your options

Your options depend on your child’s age and birthday. If they turn four before Sept. 1, you can choose to:

• Enroll them in a TK program if available at your local public school. Use SDCOE’s School Finder to find your district and school.
• Enroll them in a private school or center-based PreK program. Find preschool programs in your area.
• Continue with your current preschool or childcare options. Find tips for selecting a quality preschool program.

Children who turn five before Sept. 1 are eligible for kindergarten, whether or not they attended a TK program. Learn more about the differences between TK and kindergarten.

Prepare for the first day

Once you’ve identified the best program for your child, Palet suggests getting ready for the new environment well before the first day and offers these tips for families. 

• Attend orientation meetings at the school to learn about schedules, protocols, and expectations. This is also a time to meet other families and start to build a sense of belonging. 
• Visit the school together to reduce your child’s anxiety around unknowns such as, “Where will I go to the bathroom?” or “Where will I eat?”
• Talk to your child about going to school to help them anticipate and get excited about this new adventure.
• Start working on your evening routine now. Palet recommends the “three Bs” for young children: bath, books, and bed. Calculate the number of hours of sleep your child needs and set a consistent bedtime, then work back from there to leave time for winding down. 
• Prepare your morning routine as well. Plan time for breakfast, clean up, and dressing, including putting on shoes and brushing teeth.
• Plan simple play clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. The dirtier your child comes home, the more fun they had and the more they learned. Plan for clothes that are easy to undo in the bathroom, such as elastic waist pants or shorts, and durable tennis shoes for running and climbing.
• If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan that documents accommodations, request a meeting before the school year begins to review functional, social, communication, or academic goals and how they will be supported by the school community. You can also talk with your child’s teacher about any specific behaviors, such as difficulty around transitions or the use of a fidget item.

Day One, and Beyond

Tears are normal, for both children and parents. Palet offers suggestions on how to ease transitions and find peace of mind.

• Meet your child’s teacher before the first day of school, if possible. Morning drop-off, particularly at the start of the year, can be hectic. If you have questions or concerns, ask to schedule a meeting with the teacher.
• Make goodbyes short and sweet. If your child senses your uncertainty about dropping them off, they will be uncertain about staying. Tell them that you love them and when you will see them again, then say goodbye. Find more drop-off strategies from First 5 California.
• Know the classroom schedule. Young children have no sense of time and don’t understand when you will be back. Find out what the last activity of the day is and let your child know they will be picked up after that, and by whom.
• Have an emergency contact on file for after school pick up and remind them to bring their government ID to verify their identity. 
• It’s normal for a child to cry at drop-off for a week or two, but if you notice your child crying for several weeks, there is something wrong. Talk to your child and the teacher to find out what is bothering them. 

Palet notes that children will likely bring home as many germs as artwork and stories. In a classroom with 19 other kids who struggle to remember to blow their noses and wash their hands, illness is inevitable. 

“If this is their first introduction to school, this is the year they will get sick often, but that’s how you build up your immune system,” she says.

You can help at home by reminding them about good hygiene, including washing their hands, covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze, and by limiting their exposure to others when they are sick.

Parents and siblings may also be sick more often, Palet notes. “Children love to share their love,” she says.

In the end, the best educational choice for young children is the one that meets their needs and the needs of their family. For families in San Diego County, the Guide for Selecting Quality Child Care includes information about transitional kindergarten as well as national standards of quality for programs that serve young children.