Kindergarten Cut-Off Date Checker by State

A child must turn 5 on or before 1 September (Education Code 48000). Since 2025-26, transitional kindergarten is open to every child who turns 4 by 1 September, so a child born on 1 September 2021 started TK in fall 2025 and kindergarten in fall 2026.

Vermont (5 by 1 January of the school year by default), New York State (1 December), Maine (15 October) and New Jersey (1 October, as a minimum). New York City uses the calendar year, so any child who turns 5 that year can start in September.

They start kindergarten a year later and will be among the oldest in their class. Some states allow exceptions: Michigan parents can enroll a child who turns 5 by 1 December with a written waiver, North Dakota admits children who turn 5 before 1 December after screening, and Arizona school boards may admit children who turn 5 by 1 January.