New Jersey Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In New Jersey, a child must turn 5 by October 1 to start kindergarten that fall. New Jersey does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. New Jersey's public pre-K program, New Jersey Preschool (Preschool Education Aid), is available to eligible families (ages 3–4; free/universal within state-funded (former Abbott + expansion) districts but not offered statewide; expanding).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by October 1 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | New Jersey Preschool (Preschool Education Aid) — eligibility-based |
| Compulsory school age | 6 |
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New Jersey age cutoffs — the details
Kindergarten and TK cutoffs are set by local districts; preschool has no legal age cutoff because it is private. October 1 is the statutory-right cutoff (a child 5 by Oct 1 may enroll where kindergarten is offered), but districts may set their own policy — so it effectively varies. Kindergarten is not compulsory in NJ. Cutoff verified from the official New Jersey source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.