More 4-year-olds are in publicly funded preschool than ever - in Oakland and across the state

"California has achieved a significant increase in transitional kindergarten enrollment, with 62% of 4-year-olds participating in publicly funded early childhood programs, a rise from 42% in 2019-2020. However, access remains uneven, as nearly 40% of eligible children are still not enrolled, indicating a need for increased awareness and support for families."

"In Oakland, the phased expansion of transitional kindergarten has led to a decrease in the proportion of 4-year-olds in OUSD preschools, primarily serving low-income families, by 7%. This shift suggests that families are opting for public TK, while the share of 3-year-olds in those programs has increased by 14%."

"The demand for transitional kindergarten has resulted in long waitlists in certain neighborhoods, with about 1,400 students enrolled this year, up from 1,200 last year. However, some schools in East Oakland have available seats, highlighting the uneven distribution of enrollment across districts."

California has made significant strides in universal pre-kindergarten, with 62% of 4-year-olds enrolled in publicly funded programs for 2024-2025, up from 42% in 2019-2020. Transitional kindergarten accounted for 55% of this enrollment. However, nearly 40% of eligible children remain unenrolled, often due to lack of awareness or other barriers. In Oakland, the expansion of transitional kindergarten has affected other early childhood options, leading to increased demand and waitlists in some areas while others have empty seats. The OUSD plans to enhance infrastructure to support this growth.

Read at The Oaklandside