Free Preschool in California: TK, State Preschool, and Head Start

Free preschool in California comes through four different programs, and which one fits depends on your child’s age, your household income, and whether your child has a disability. Every four-year-old qualifies for free Transitional Kindergarten at a public school, with no income test. Families earning up to $127,338 a year (for a household of four) can qualify for the California State Preschool Program. Federal Head Start serves families at or below the poverty line. And children three and older with a qualifying disability can get free special education preschool regardless of income.

Transitional Kindergarten for Every Four-Year-Old

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the easiest path because there is no income requirement at all. It is part of the public K-12 system and funded the same way as kindergarten. Starting with the 2025–26 school year, every child who turns four by September 1 is eligible at their local public school.1California Department of Education. Transitional Kindergarten FAQs – Instructional Time and Attendance

You do not need to prove income, employment, or need for care. Enrollment runs through your school district the same way kindergarten registration does.

Some districts also admit children who turn four after September 1 but before the end of the school year, if the district decides it is in the child’s best interest and the parent agrees.2California Department of Education. Kindergarten in California – Elementary This is discretionary, so ask your district.

One thing to know: TK follows the regular school day, which is shorter than most work schedules. Some districts partner with after-school programs, and income-eligible families can pair TK with wraparound care through the state preschool program.

California State Preschool Program

The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) is the state’s income-based option for three- and four-year-olds. It runs through school districts, county offices, and community agencies, and it offers both part-day and full-day placements.

Income Limits

Your family’s adjusted monthly income must be at or below 100 percent of the State Median Income for your family size. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the ceilings are:3California Department of Education. Management Bulletin 25-05 – Child Development

  • Family of 1–2: $96,854 per year ($8,071 per month)
  • Family of 3: $109,904 per year ($9,159 per month)
  • Family of 4: $127,338 per year ($10,612 per month)
  • Family of 5: $147,712 per year ($12,309 per month)
  • Family of 6: $168,086 per year ($14,007 per month)

The ceilings continue upward for larger families, reaching $191,007 for a household of twelve or more. A limited number of over-income slots are also available for families earning up to 15 percent above the ceiling, capped at 10 percent of a program’s total enrollment and filled only after all income-eligible children have been placed.3California Department of Education. Management Bulletin 25-05 – Child Development

Part-Day vs. Full-Day

Part-day CSPP requires only income eligibility. Full-day adds a second test: you have to show a “need for care.” That means the parent or guardian is working, looking for work, in school or vocational training, in an English-language program, seeking housing, or incapacitated. A child who is at risk of neglect or abuse also qualifies for full-day services.

Who Gets a Spot First

Slots often fill up, so CSPP ranks applicants by priority:

  • First: children receiving child protective services or at risk of neglect or abuse, with a written referral from a social service, legal, or medical agency.4Cornell Law Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 5, 17746 – Enrollment Priorities for Part-Day CSPP
  • Second: income-eligible children with disabilities.
  • Third: other income-eligible three- and four-year-olds not in TK, from lowest income up.
  • Fourth: families up to 15 percent above the ceiling (10 percent cap on enrollment).

Within the third tier, lowest-income families enroll first. Waitlist selection combines priority level with time on the list.

Family Fees

CSPP is described as “free or low-cost.” Some families above the lowest income levels pay a sliding-scale fee based on income and family size, updated annually by the California Department of Education. Families at the bottom of the scale typically pay nothing.

Head Start

Head Start is federally funded and bundles preschool with health screenings, nutrition support, and family services. It serves children ages three to five. Early Head Start covers infants and toddlers from birth to three and also serves pregnant women.5Administration for Children and Families. Office of Head Start – Head Start Services

Income Limits

Head Start’s income threshold is lower than CSPP’s. Your family’s income must be at or below the federal poverty line. For 2025, the guidelines are $32,150 for a family of four and $21,150 for a family of two, with amounts rising for larger households.6Federal Register. Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines These update each January.

Children Who Qualify Automatically

Income is not the only route in. Homeless children and children in foster care are automatically eligible. So are families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SSI.7HeadStart.gov. Poverty Guidelines and Determining Eligibility for Participation in Head Start Programs

Over-Income Slots

Programs can reserve up to 10 percent of spots for children who do not meet the income or categorical rules but would benefit from the program. Another 35 percent can go to families earning below 130 percent of the poverty line, though all lower-income and categorically eligible children must be placed first.8GovInfo. 42 USC 9840 – Participation in Head Start Programs In practice, a family of four earning up to roughly $41,800 could land a spot if the local program has room.

Free Preschool for Children With Disabilities

A child three or older who has a diagnosed disability can get free special education services through the local school district, no matter what the family earns. Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the district must evaluate any child suspected of having a disability and, if the child qualifies, build an Individualized Education Program at no cost. Services often include a preschool classroom placement plus speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other specialized support.

This route is independent of TK, CSPP, and Head Start. Even a family well above the income ceilings, with a child too young for TK, may qualify this way. Contact your school district’s special education department to request an evaluation.

Which Program Fits Your Family

  • Transitional Kindergarten: Free for every four-year-old (turning four by September 1). No income test. Part of the public school system. Follows the school-day schedule.
  • CSPP: Free or low-cost for three- and four-year-olds in families at or below 100 percent of the State Median Income. Part-day and full-day options. Full-day requires a need for care.
  • Head Start: Free for three- to five-year-olds at or below the federal poverty line, plus homeless children, foster children, and families on public assistance. Includes health and family support services.
  • Special Education Preschool: Free for children three and older with qualifying disabilities, regardless of income.

The programs can also be combined. A four-year-old in TK during the morning can attend a CSPP program in the afternoon if the family is income-eligible, which is one way to piece together a full-day schedule.

How to Enroll

The starting point depends on the program.

  • TK: Contact your local school district. The process mirrors kindergarten registration.
  • CSPP and Head Start: Call your County Office of Education or a local Resource and Referral Agency for a list of nearby providers. You can also search Head Start programs through the federal Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center.
  • Special education preschool: Request an evaluation from your school district’s special education department.

Documents to Gather

Every program will want proof of your child’s age. Acceptable forms include a certified birth certificate, a passport, or a baptismal certificate. California also requires up-to-date immunization records before any child can start preschool or TK. The record must show the date of each dose, the type of vaccine, and the provider who administered it.9California Department of Public Health. California Immunization Handbook

For CSPP and Head Start, bring income verification: recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other documentation of household income for the 30 days before you apply. Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease, is typically required as well. If your child has a disability, bring any medical or developmental evaluations to share with the district’s special education team.

Expect a Waitlist

CSPP and Head Start have limited slots, and eligibility does not guarantee immediate placement. Waitlist movement depends on priority ranking and how long you have been waiting. Apply early, and apply to more than one program when you can. TK is the exception: it is a guaranteed public school placement for any age-eligible child.

Tax Credit for Out-of-Pocket Costs

If you pay for preschool or wraparound care so you (and your spouse, if filing jointly) can work or look for work, you may be able to claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. The qualifying child must be under age 13, and you will need the care provider’s name, address, and tax identification number when you file Form 2441.10Internal Revenue Service. Child and Dependent Care Credit Information Expenses paid purely for education do not count, but fees for care that lets you work generally do. Families in fully free programs with nothing out of pocket would not have qualifying expenses, but those paying sliding-scale CSPP fees or covering before- and after-care should look at this credit at tax time.