Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten is a crucial step in education, providing the mental, physical, and social foundation that will support and enrich a student’s entire school experience. Choosing a school environment that meets the needs of your child from the very beginning will have a lifelong impact. In addition to finding a good fit, assessing your child’s kindergarten readiness will play a big role in their success.


We can accept Kindergarten students as young as 4 years 9 months of age. 

Andrea Randall, our K-1 teacher since 2003, offers up this simple list of signs that your child is probably ready to start full-day kindergarten at Santa Cruz Children’s School.


Children are generally ready for kindergarten when they:

  • Are excited about learning new things
  • Are familiar with letters and numbers (mastery is not required or expected)
  • Will respond when an adult says good morning or asks a question
  • Can sit through a story
  • Can follow simple multi-step instructions
  • Can use the bathroom independently
  • Can zip up a coat and a lunch box independently, or almost!


A great way to help assess if they are ready is to bring your child with you to our Open House or a private tour to meet the teachers and consider setting up a classroom visit in the spring. We are not limited by the September 1st birth date requirements of public school transitional kindergarten and kindergarten cut off dates, and are happy to enroll a child when they are ready, as early as 4¾. You know your child best; trust your instincts!