Transitional Kindergarten at BCNS

Deciding when to start Kindergarten is a major milestone. For families in Belmont, Arlington, Watertown, and Cambridge, the strict September 1st cutoff often leaves children with fall birthdays in limbo. They are ready for more than preschool, but not yet eligible for public Kindergarten.

At BCNS, our Birch Pre-K Program serves as a robust Transitional Kindergarten (TK) experience. Whether your child has a fall birthday or you are choosing a “growth year” for a younger summer birthday, we offer the perfect bridge: the play-based joy of preschool combined with the intellectual challenge of Kindergarten readiness.

Who is Transitional Kindergarten For?

Our program is designed to meet the needs of two specific groups of children:

  • The “Missed Cutoff” Fall Birthday: Children who turn 5 in September, October, November, or December. They are often academically ready for school but need a program that honors their age while they wait for the next school year.

  • The “Young Five” Summer Birthday: Children with June, July, or August birthdays who are technically eligible for Kindergarten, but whose families have chosen the “gift of time” to ensure they enter elementary school as confident, socially mature leaders.

The BCNS Difference

Unlike a rigid academic TK program, our Reggio-inspired approach prepares children for Kindergarten by fostering learning behaviors rather than just memorization.

  • Project-Based Learning: Long-term investigations (e.g., “How does a post office work?”) that require planning, writing, and math in real-world contexts.

  • Emotional Resilience: Teachers coach children through conflict resolution, ensuring they enter Kindergarten ready to handle the playground and the classroom.

Is your child ready for a Bridge Year? Our Birch (Pre-K) class is the ideal setting for Transitional Kindergarten.

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FAQs: Transitional Kindergarten

  • Transitional Kindergarten (TK), often called a 'bridge year' or 'junior kindergarten,' is a program designed for children who are old enough for preschool but not quite ready for the structure of elementary school. It provides a gift of time to develop social-emotional maturity.

  • Yes. Our Birch Pre-K class functions as a Transitional Kindergarten experience. It is specifically designed for 4 and 5-year-olds to engage in deeper project work, leadership opportunities, and Kindergarten readiness skills within a play-based environment.

  • TK is ideal for children with late spring or summer birthdays, or any child who would benefit from building more confidence, self-regulation, and social skills before entering a large public school classroom.

  • Absolutely. Children leave our program with the 'soft skills' teachers value most: the ability to listen, negotiate with peers, manage their own items, and approach new challenges with curiosity rather than anxiety.

  • Yes. Because Transitional Kindergarten programs are rare in our area, we welcome families from Arlington, Watertown, Cambridge, and Waltham who are looking for a high-quality bridge year for their 4 and 5-year-olds.

  • "Deciding to send our children to BCNS was one of the best parenting decisions we have ever made."

    Caitlin, mom of two BCNS alumni

  • "BCNS became so much more than a school for us; it became the center of our community."

    Laura, mom of BCNS alum

  • "BCNS is always figuring out ways that they can positively engage their students and their community. We couldn’t have been more impressed with the school, the staff and the leadership. It was truly a special place for us."

    Steve and Jeff, parents of BCNS alum

  • "BCNS is a special place that welcomes families into a community founded on respect, trust, cooperation, and exploration."

    Kim, mom of two BCNS alumni