Connecticut Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In Connecticut, a child must turn 5 by September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Connecticut does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. Connecticut's public pre-K program, CT Office of Early Childhood preschool (School Readiness, Smart Start), is available to eligible families (ages 3–5 not yet kindergarten-eligible; priority to lower-income families).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | CT Office of Early Childhood preschool (School Readiness, Smart Start) — eligibility-based |
| Compulsory school age | 5 |
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Connecticut age cutoffs — the details
Kindergarten and TK cutoffs are set by state law; preschool has no legal age cutoff because it is private. Cutoff moved to September 1 (PA 23-208, 2024-25). A parent-requested early-admission waiver is optional for districts as of July 1 2026 and eliminated July 1 2027 (hard cutoff after). Cutoff verified from the official Connecticut source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.