Policy No. 2230

Instruction

 

TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

If the district operates a transition to kindergarten program, it will ensure that the program serves eligible students of all abilities who need additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten and who lack access to other early learning group settings.

Before beginning or expanding a transition to kindergarten program, the district must consider the existing availability and affordability of early learning providers, such as early childhood education and assistance programs, head start programs, and licensed childcare centers and family home providers in the region.

If the district plans to implement and administer a transition to kindergarten program, it is required to adhere to the minimum standards and requirements established by the office of the superintendent of public instruction related to:

1. Best practices for site readiness of facilities that are used for the program;
2. Developmentally appropriate curricula designed to assist in maintaining high quality programs in accordance with RCW 28A.320.230; and
3. Professional development opportunities.

The district may blend or co-locate a transition to kindergarten program with other early learning programs.

A transition to kindergarten program will be considered a separate class or course for data reporting requirements under RCW 28A.320.175.

 

Eligibility, Recruitment, and Enrollment

The term “screening process and tools” means using one or more instruments or methods of assessing and measuring the ability and need of an individual student.

Children will be eligible to participate in the district’s transition to kindergarten program as follows:

1. Based on a screening process and tools, the district has determined that the child would benefit from additional preparation for kindergarten; and
2. The child’s age is at least 4 years old by August 31 of the school year in which they enroll in a transition to kindergarten program.

Access to the transition to kindergarten program does not constitute an individual entitlement for any particular child.

In determining eligibility and admitting students to a transition to kindergarten program, the district will:

1. Give priority to children most in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten, as demonstrated through a screening process and tool.
2. Give priority to children with the lowest family income not otherwise eligible and not enrolled in another local program.
3. Not exclude or establish a policy to prohibit participation of an eligible child due only to the presence of a disability.
4. Not charge tuition or other fees from state-funded eligible students for enrollment in a transition to kindergarten program.

All children enrolled in a transition to kindergarten program will be assigned a statewide student identifier.

The district will administer to all children enrolled in a transition to kindergarten program the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) at the beginning of their enrollment and at least one more time during the school year.

Cross References:	3110 – Qualification of Attendance and Placement
Legal References:	RCW 28A.300.072 Transition to kindergarten program
	Chapter 392-425 WAC Transition to Kindergarten
Management Resources:	2025 - April Issue
	2023 - July Issue

Adoption Date: September 9, 2024

Revised: July 28, 2025