Young 5 Kindergarten
In the State of Michigan, children have the option of going to a Young 5s program to develop social and academic skills along with the confidence that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Students are eligible if they turn 5 between June 1st and September 1st of that school year. Parents can sign a waiver to enroll children if they will be 5 before December 1st of that school year. Young 5s is full day, five days a week, and is free for eligible children. Students enrolled in Young 5s will transition into Traditional Kindergarten the following year. |
For the 2025-26 academic year, both Kindergarten and Young 5 eligible students must be born on or before December 1, 2020. There are no exceptions to this date.
Programming Options:
Traditional Kindergarten ONLY - 5 years old on or before May 31
Traditional Kindergarten or Young 5 OPTION - 5 years old between June 1 - August 31
Traditional Kindergarten or Young 5 OPTION (Waiver Required) - 5 years old between September 1 - December 1
The good news is that Young 5 kindergarten is giving children an opportunity to learn in a hands-on, interactive way that supports their development while still maintaining the high standards of kindergarten.
Young 5 kindergarten is now being offered to children turning 5 years old between September 1 and December 1 to give them an opportunity develop the social and academic skills and the confidence that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
What is Young 5 Kindergarten?
Young 5 kindergarten is a bridge between preschool and kindergarten for children turning 5 years old between September 1st and December 1st. Young 5 gives young learners a head start and provides them with an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that is tailored to meet their academic and social needs.
Young 5 Kindergarten:
- Is part of the public school system and is free for families
- Uses a unique, specialized curriculum that is based on the kindergarten standards and is designed to support young 5 year olds
- Is taught by credentialed teachers with extra training to teach young kindergarteners
What Happens in a Young 5 Kindergarten Classroom?
In Young 5 kindergarten, teachers help children develop social skills through activities that build confidence and communication. They also expose children to reading and math in an exciting, interactive way by using educational games to teach children about words and sentences and help them understand mathematical concepts like counting and patterns.
- Classroom facility and teacher: Young 5 kindergarteners have their own classroom with their own teacher.
- Length of school day: They go to school every day from START TIME to END TIME
- Shared activities: They participate in all kindergarten activities such as music and art throughout the year.
- Curriculum and learning: They learn important new skills that build on what they may have learned in preschool and help them adjust to the elementary school environment.
- Learning environment: They learn by working with the teacher in small and large groups and also have opportunities for independent exploration.
Why is Young 5 Kindergarten Good for Kids?
Young 5 kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically challenging environment that nurtures their growth. Research shows that children who attend kindergarten readiness programs like Young 5 kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and attend college.
Parents recognize the benefits of Young 5 kindergarten, and many parents have already been enrolling their children in similar programs, public and private, for years. Offering Young 5 kindergarten will help all of our kids get the best start possible, with curriculum that is designed just for them.
Who Attends Young 5 Kindergarten?
Children must turn 5 years old on or before September 1st to enroll in kindergarten. Previously, children could be enrolled in kindergarten if they turned 5 years old by December 1st. While this change of a few months may seem small, it can mean a big difference during these early years when children are rapidly growing and developing.
Young 5 kindergarten is now being offered so the children whose birthdays between June 1st and December 1st will have an opportunity to continue building their skills and abilities. Their time in Young 5 kindergarten will help them to succeed in kindergarten, become leaders in the classroom and confidently navigate the school day routine.
