Alabama Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In Alabama, a child must turn 5 by September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Alabama does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. Alabama's public pre-K program, First Class Pre-K, is open to all 4-year-olds (age 4 by September 1 — voluntary, no income requirement (seats limited by capacity)).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | First Class Pre-K — universal (age 4) |
| Compulsory school age | 6 |
When can my child start? Personalize it
Enter your child's birth month and year — we don't ask for the exact day.
✓ You're set — we'll email you when it's time. You can also browse preschools near you.
Alabama age cutoffs — the details
Kindergarten and TK cutoffs are set by state law; preschool has no legal age cutoff because it is private. Cutoff verified from the official Alabama source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.