Kindergarten Information & Registration

In 2023, the Connecticut Legislature changed how old a child must be to start kindergarten. Public Act 23-208, Section 1(a) changed the birth date cutoff to September 1 of any given school year for students to turn 5 in order to enter kindergarten.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year for students who turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 will open January 21, 2025. For information on the new Connecticut birthdate cutoff to attend kindergarten, please refer to the Kindergarten Information and Registration page.

·The New Student Registration for all new students including Kindergarten and Agriscience programs for the 2025-2026 school year will open January 21, 2025. The link will be added here once it has opened.

Are there exceptions to this rule?

Yes. If your child does not meet the entry cutoff date, they may still be admitted into kindergarten upon;    

If your child turns 5 between September 1st and January 1st you may still be able to register your child in Region 14’s kindergarten after completing the following process:

• Complete the Region 14 Request for Early Entry into Kindergarten Parent/Guardian Assessment of Child’s Early Learning and Development form and submit the form to the school’s principal by February 28th.

• If your child currently attends daycare or Pre-Kindergarten, ask your daycare provider or Pre-K teacher to complete the  Region 14 Request for Early Entry into Kindergarten Teacher/Caregiver Assessment of Child’s Early Learning and Development form and submit the form to the school’s principal.

• Your child will need to be assessed by certified Region 14 personnel to determine readiness for entry to kindergarten. This assessment includes observations of your child’s communication, fine and gross motor, and cognitive skills as well as their social emotional development. 

What if my child is receiving special education services?

If your child receives special education services and does not meet the entry cutoff date, your child’s planning and placement team (PPT) will review/revise your child’s individualized education program (IEP) to meet your child’s needs during the additional year of preschool. 

How can I support my child's learning and development before the transition to kindergarten? 

Be sure to attend the Kindergarten Orientation offered in June at each elementary school where you will receive information and resources to help you best prepare your child for kindergarten over the summer months. 

Begin planning how and when you will talk with your child about their transition to kindergarten to ensure a positive experience. 

Who can I contact if I have additional questions? 

For more information about the exception process, please refer to the Region 14 Kindergarten Registration page on the district website or contact the appropriate school principal: Mitchell Elementary School – Kelly Pinho, kpinho@ctreg14.org or Bethlehem Elementary School – Wendy Yatsenick, wyatsenick@ctreg14.org.