FAQs About Kindergarten Enrollment and Readiness
When should you register your child for kindergarten? If this is your first experience with kindergarten enrollment, take a look at the top questions parents have.
Is There an Age Minimum?
Most districts have a minimum age requirement for elementary school children. This is typically five-years-old. Check with your district for specific information on birthday-related cut-off dates. If your child doesn't meet the age requirement, the school may deny your enrollment request or ask you to wait one year.
Do All Children Need to Attend School?
If your child is five and ready for kindergarten, do you need to enroll them right now? Each state has compulsory school attendance laws. These laws spell out when a child must start school (or an acceptable educational program) and the minimum/maximum ages the state must provide free education to the student.
If your child falls between the minimum and maximum compulsory attendance age, they must attend school. Some states and districts allow alternatives, such as homeschooling programs.
Is Your Child Ready for School?
Now that you know what age your child can and must attend school, the next step is to decide whether they're ready for their first educational experience. If your state doesn't require children to attend school at age five, you have the option to wait an extra year (or in some states, two).
Some children are ready to start school at age five, while others could benefit from an earlier or later start. If your child is on the borderline of your district's cut-off age or has a summer birthday, you may not know whether they're ready to start school next fall.
There's no universal way to decide whether a child is ready to start school or should wait. Every child is different. This means your child's development isn't necessarily at the same level as another four, five, or six-year-old's. Children who have high-level cognitive (mental reasoning) skills may lack the emotional or social abilities to start school as a young five-year-old. If you're on the enrollment fence, consider:
- The preschool teacher's recommendation. Is your child currently in a preschool or daycare program? Ask their teacher for a recommendation on enrollment versus waiting an extra year. Not only is the teacher an educational expert, they know how your child functions in a school setting.
- Your child's overall development. Again, high cognitive development doesn't always predict kindergarten year success. Look at your child as a whole and consider each developmental area (cognitive, emotional, social, and physical).
- Your beliefs. Does your gut tell you to wait? Does it tell you to enroll your child? Follow your beliefs on education and your child's needs.
Your child's soon-to-be new school can also provide resources on enrollment timing. Ask the principal or kindergarten teacher for advice and recommendations based on their own experiences as educators.