Bright Horizons offers transitional kindergarten programs for California families, designed to bridge the path between preschool and kindergarten and boost school readiness. Our research-backed curriculum and learning experiences tailored to individual needs and interests will help your child build a strong academic, social, and emotional foundation. Our year-long, full-day TK program offers limited holiday closures and minimizes care gaps that may be experienced through public school programs — essential for working families.
Discover how our transitional kindergarten program can support your child by connecting with a center near you.
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Kindergarten Prep Program
For ages 4-5 years
In the Bright Horizons® k-prep program, we’ll foster your child’s growing confidence and independence, helping them develop the skills they need to be classroom-ready. Our expert teachers will help your child reach important milestones and encourage their social, emotional, and academic development to help them prepare for kindergarten and all that comes next. Come visit and experience it for yourself.
Transitional Kindergarten in California
See what our parents are saying
Bright Horizons did a great job preparing my child for school by teaching her a mix of important skills. Their well-rounded approach made sure she was ready to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally when she started school.
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I feel so confident sending my child to Bright Horizons — it’s a safe and loving learning environment. The teachers are experienced, caring, and have specialized training to deliver a quality curriculum that’s full of fun and learning-based activities. Everyone is genuinely engaged, making a huge difference.
”Bright Horizons does a great job balancing learning with fun — they understand that at a young age, it’s important for kids to learn, but it’s just as important to let kids be kids. Their approach keeps children engaged and happy while building the skills they need for school.
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Frequently Asked Questions
One of the main differences between a preschool and a kindergarten prep classroom is the age of the children and their developmental abilities, with kindergarten prep programs catering to children who are typically 4 to 5 years old. In general, children in a pre-kindergarten class engage in kindergarten readiness activities involving deeper learning and more structured skill building.
To learn more about our kindergarten prep program, schedule a tour at a Bright Horizons center near you.
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Children are often ready for kindergarten prep when they show growing social emotional, cognitive, language, and physical skill development such as communicating needs, understanding routines, engaging in early problem solving, and managing age appropriate tasks.
To talk through your child’s readiness for kindergarten prep, schedule a tour at a Bright Horizons center near you.
Kindergarten prep programs help children practice the skills they’ll use every day in kindergarten, such as collaborating with peers, following directions, and building early literacy and math foundations. These experiences help children feel confident and capable in a classroom setting.
To see how kindergarten prep comes to life, schedule a tour at a Bright Horizons center near you.
During kindergarten prep, children build important skills like communication, social-emotional awareness, problem solving, and independence through guided learning and hands-on experiences. These skills support whole-child growth, fostering children’s confidence so they can enter their future classrooms as explorers, discovers, and thinkers.
To see how these skills are supported, schedule a tour to learn more about our program at your local center.
Use our Center Finder to search for a Bright Horizons locations near you, and schedule a tour to learn more about space availability.
Yes! Visiting a center is a wonderful way to get a feel for the classroom, meet the teachers, and see how children are supported as they prepare for kindergarten.
We’d love to welcome you! Schedule a tour at a Bright Horizons center near you to explore the program in person.