PreK-3rd Services

TK programs have been developed specifically for 4-year-old children and offer high-quality early learning programs to students with an unmet need that otherwise do not have access to early learning opportunities prior to kindergarten. Qualifying children must have been identified by their school district as in need of additional preparation prior to starting kindergarten the following school year by screening procedures through the student’s school district.

TK programs aim to fill a gap by serving students who do not qualify for or attend other schools or programs such as Head Start, ECEAP or licensed child care programs.

PSESD's P-3 team can assist schools with implementation of Transitional Kindergarten.

Connections

• Guiding districts through a needs assessment and helping to identify all existing licensed child care providers and preschool programs in the local community.
• Fostering relationships between districts and community early learning partners.
• Connecting districts to a network of TK leaders, practitioners, and administrators regionally and statewide.
• Supporting coordinated enrollment and recruitment efforts with community partners, families, and districts. Doing so helps to avoid the unintended consequence of other community-based programs closing due to low enrollment.

Program Support

• Providing guidance and support with training, development, and implementation of best practices in early learning and developmentally appropriate practices including the 5 Pillars of Transition to Kindergarten.
• Identifying and supporting district leadership teams for inclusionary practices in the Transition to Kindergarten program.

Professional Development

• Providing ongoing technical assistance and coaching for assessment practices, training, family and community engagement, and program-wide support for inclusionary practices.
• Districts may also contract with the ESD for:
  • coaching services such as WA Pyramid Model Program or Practitioner coaches
  • trainings in a range of topics such as developmentally appropriate practices, play-based learning, and creating environments and care routines for 4-year-old students. Please visit Our Services to learn more about the P-3 team's professional development offerings. 

Eligibility and Screening Process

TK programs are only for 4-year-old children who have been identified as needing additional preparation prior to starting kindergarten the following school year.

Eligible students may include 4-year olds who:

• are not currently enrolled in a preschool program
• do not qualify for early learning programs
• do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences
• may have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Schools offering Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs use screening procedures to determine the individual student’s abilities and determine the need for services. With the use of screening instruments, school personnel work with children and families to administer a developmentally appropriate screening. This screening helps identify the child’s developmental progress and indicate certain developmental milestones that have been achieved. Screening should take 30 minutes or less and is conducted by the school district.

Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment

TK programs will work in collaboration with other preschool providers in the community to determine the best placement option for students. Before making a decision, families should consider all early learning options for which they qualify, as well as the benefits and outcomes of each service option.

Family Connections

Families are their child’s first and most important teacher and all families want what’s best for their children. Schools should be prepared to welcome families to the screening process and invite them to provide critical information about family culture and language, their child’s strengths and interests, as well as areas of behavioral and academic concerns. If children do not qualify for TK, schools should have a system in place to refer families to other programs.

District TK Resources

• OSPI Transition to Kindergarten Requirements and Pillars 
• OSPI Transition to Kindergarten FAQs
• OSPI Transition to Kindergarten Readiness Considerations
• OSPI Transition to Kindergarten Administrator's Best Practice Workbook
• Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines
• The Right Direction Mixed Delivery Early Care and Education

Districts interested in learning more about Transition to Kindergarten may contact:

Whitney White

Transitional Kindergarten Coordinator

Email: wwhite@psesd.org

Lisa Monroe

Washington Pyramid Model Implementation Specialist

Email: lmonroe@psesd.org