Getting Kindergarten Readiness Right: 7 Strategies for a Meaningful Transition to Kindergarten

Summary of Insights 

• A successful transition to kindergarten begins long before the first day of school.
• Kindergarten readiness is about nurturing children’s curiosity, independence, and confidence—not about premature academic expectations.
• Program leaders play a critical role in creating the systems, environments, and supports that prepare children for this key milestone.
• Readiness includes both academic foundations and social–emotional growth, built through meaningful play and relationships.
• With the right structures in place, preschool and pre-K programs can ensure every child enters kindergarten ready to thrive.

Why the Transition to Kindergarten Is So Important

The move from preschool or pre-K into kindergarten is one of the most significant milestones in a child’s early learning journey. For many children, it marks their first full-time school experience, their introduction to new routines, expectations, and relationships. The success of this transition can shape how children see themselves as learners for years to come. When I work with pre-K teachers, I remind them that this is often the first school experience for children and sometimes for families. It is vital that the experience is welcoming, joyful, and affirming and sets the stage for a life-long love of learning.

When children begin kindergarten ready to learn (socially, emotionally, and academically) they are more likely to stay engaged, develop positive attitudes toward school, and experience long-term success¹. Yet readiness doesn’t happen overnight. It develops gradually, through the intentional supports, environments, and experiences created by early childhood programs.

Program leaders play an essential role in ensuring these systems are in place. By equipping teachers, engaging families, and aligning curriculum and routines with developmentally appropriate expectations and district goals, leaders can build a foundation that helps every child enter kindergarten with confidence and joy.

7 Strategies for Supporting a Positive Transition to Kindergarten

1. Establish Predictable Routines 
   Predictable routines help children feel secure and confident. Consistent daily schedules build trust and reduce anxiety as children move between settings and activities. For program leaders, ensuring that teachers use clear, developmentally appropriate routines—such as consistent times for meals, rest, and group activities—helps children develop the self-regulation skills they’ll need in kindergarten. Leaders can also work to align preschool and pre-K routines with those commonly found in kindergarten classrooms, such as morning meetings, intentional small-group instruction, or independent work time, so children experience less disruption when they move on.
2. Foster Independence and Self-Help Skills 
   Kindergarten readiness is deeply tied to independence. When children can manage personal needs, follow multi-step directions, and make choices, they are better able to adapt to new expectations. Program leaders can encourage teachers to provide opportunities for children to take ownership of their learning environments, including by attending to teacher-directed activities, organizing materials, cleaning up after activities, or selecting their own learning centers. These experiences build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of agency that supports a smooth transition.
3. Strengthen Academic Foundations Through Integrated Learning 
   Academic readiness for kindergarten begins with rich, rigorous play-based learning in preschool and pre-K. Rather than focusing on rote instruction, children build early literacy, math, and science skills through exploration, conversation, and inquiry. Leaders can support readiness by ensuring that their programs provide a curriculum that integrates academic content into meaningful, hands-on experiences. Evidence-based models, like The Creative Curriculum, promote learning across developmental domains, helping children discover foundational academic concepts through hands-on activities driven by their authentic curiosity.
4. Model and Support Positive Social and Emotional Skills 
   Social and emotional readiness is just as vital as academic preparation. Children entering kindergarten must be able to cooperate with peers, express emotions appropriately, and demonstrate empathy and persistence. Program leaders can ensure teachers receive professional development on embedding social–emotional development throughout the day. Encouraging practices such as conflict resolution, emotion labeling, and reflection helps children learn to manage their feelings and interact positively with others.
5. Partner With Families to Support Readiness 
   Families are children’s first teachers and most important allies in the transition to kindergarten. When families feel informed and confident, children are more likely to approach this new stage with excitement rather than apprehension. Leaders can support readiness by promoting two-way communication between teachers and families. Hosting family workshops that celebrate the strengths and assets families bring to their children’s learning, providing take-home resources, and offering guidance on daily routines can help families reinforce independence, literacy, and emotional resilience at home.
6. Create Continuity Across Learning Experiences 
   Even when children move on to different kindergarten settings, early learning programs can still provide consistency that eases the transition. Program leaders can ensure that teachers use common language, classroom routines, and expectations that mirror those of typical kindergarten classrooms. Creating transition portfolios or progress summaries allows families to share their children’s strengths, interests, and learning progress with their new teachers. These strategies help children experience a sense of familiarity and confidence, no matter where they go next.
7. Celebrate Growth and Embrace a Yearlong Readiness Journey 
   Kindergarten readiness is not about meeting a checklist of skills before the first day of school. It is a journey that unfolds over the course of the preschool and pre-K year.Leaders can encourage teachers to observe, document, and celebrate progress in all areas of development. Recognizing growth in self-regulation, curiosity, and problem-solving reinforces the idea that every child develops at their own pace. By celebrating milestones and providing supportive feedback, programs nurture a lifelong love of learning.

Supporting Kindergarten Readiness Program-Wide

Programs that prioritize both academic and social–emotional growth set children up for long-term success. A meaningful transition to kindergarten is not the responsibility of one teacher or one classroom—it is the result of intentional, program-wide systems that value every aspect of a child’s development. When leaders focus on building consistent routines, nurturing independence, supporting social–emotional growth, and integrating academic knowledge through play, they lay the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond.