Who qualifies for transitional kindergarten in San Diego in 2026-27, and what free preschool is there?

If your child turns 4 on or before September 1, 2026, they qualify for free transitional kindergarten (TK) this school year in any California public school district. The California Department of Education (CDE) says that since 2025-26 every district must offer TK to all children with a fourth birthday by September 1, and that districts cannot waitlist an age-eligible child for TK overall (they must point you to a school with space). We checked CDE, San Diego Unified and county sources on November 3, 2026. For enrolling older kids and the Choice lottery, see San Diego Unified enrollment and school choice.

Does my child qualify for TK in San Diego in 2026-27?

TK isn't required, and neither is kindergarten: California's compulsory school age is 6, per CDE. But TK is free and full day, which matters when you compare it with paid preschool. In San Diego Unified, the district's March 2, 2026 release said every elementary and K-8 school offers TK except Virtual Academy and Mt. Everest, with 5,200 seats after adding nine classrooms; each class has two teachers and is capped at 20 students. TK kids can also join the district's PrimeTime before- and after-school program. If your neighborhood school is full, the district offers a nearby school with space.

What free preschool is available in San Diego?

California State Preschool's income limit is higher than most people assume. CDE's Management Bulletin 26-03 sets the 2026-27 ceiling at 100% of state median income: $113,708 a year for a family of 3 and $136,044 for a family of 4, effective July 1, 2026; programs may also enroll a limited share of families up to 15% above that. San Diego Unified runs part-day State Preschool at 17-18 sites and an extended-day class at Central Elementary. Children referred by Child Protective Services and children experiencing homelessness also qualify. San Diego Unified also runs School Readiness, a district-funded free preschool with no income requirement at a limited number of schools; priority goes to children living in that school's attendance area.

Head Start in San Diego County is run by Neighborhood House Association (NHA). According to First 5 San Diego (October 2025), families receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs or SSI are eligible, proof of citizenship is not required, and Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers from six weeks to age 3 as well as pregnant and postpartum parents. Apply at 1-888-873-5145.

How much does private preschool cost in San Diego?

Expect roughly $15,000 a year for full-time private preschool, the annual estimate Axios reported in March 2026 from YMCA data. The YMCA Childcare Resource Service posts weekly averages by zip code; in its October 2026 table, center preschool averaged about $360 a week in 92104 (North Park) and $455 in 92122 (University City). For infant and toddler prices and subsidies, see our child care cost guide.