Ohio Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In Ohio, a child must turn 5 by the first day of school to start kindergarten — a date set each year, not a fixed calendar day. Ohio does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. Ohio's public pre-K program, Ohio Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program, is available to eligible families (ages 3–4; family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by the first day of school |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | Ohio Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program — eligibility-based |
| Compulsory school age | 6 |
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Ohio age cutoffs — the details
Kindergarten and TK cutoffs are set by state law; preschool has no legal age cutoff because it is private. Starting 2026-27 (HB 114) a child must be 5 by the first day of school statewide — a moving date, not a fixed calendar day; districts offer an early-entry evaluation for children turning 5 by Sept 30. Cutoff verified from the official Ohio source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.
Preschools in Ohio
Kindergarten cutoffs in nearby states
Cutoff dates differ across the Great Lakes — a birthday that misses the cutoff in one state can make it in another.