Written by

Daniel Bal

February 1, 2024

Edited by

Sarah Noel

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Kindergarten cost

Public kindergarten costs $1,000 to $4,500 per year for full-day enrollment or is free in some states. Half-day kindergarten is free in most states. Private kindergarten tuition fees are $10,000 to $35,000 per year. Higher kindergarten prices apply for transportation, lunch, and extended-hours care.

Public kindergarten cost

Public schools offer free half-day kindergarten in most states. However, public kindergarten costs $1,000 to $4,500 annually for non-residents or for full-day kindergarten options in some states. Federal funding is available for families who need financial aid to help cover tuition costs.

Private kindergarten cost

Private kindergarten costs $10,000 to $35,000 annually or up to $60,000yearly for the most exclusive schools. Catholic private kindergarten is typically the cheapest at $3,000 to $8,000 annually. Total tuition costs depend on the location, student-teacher ratios, unique courses offered, and enrollment numbers.

Additional kindergarten tuition fees

Extra kindergarten tuition fees not covered by the enrollment payment include:

• Public school lunch –Public school meals cost $2 to $3 each or are free in some places. Free or discounted meals are available in most schools for low-income families.

• Private school lunch – Most private schools offer free hot meals as part of tuition or charge $6 to $10 per lunch depending on the food selection.

• Public school transportation ­– Public school buses are free in some cities or cost $100 to $400 annually depending on local school policies.

• Private school transportation –Bus service to a private school costs $500 to $3,000 annually depending on the distance and discounts for multiple children in the same family. Not all independent schools provide bus service.

• Before and after school care costs $140 to $400 per month for public schools and $200 to $800 per month for private schools.

  • A nanny costs $15 to $25 per hour.

  • Babysitting rates are $14 to $20 per hour.

• New family fee –Private schools typically charge a one-time fee of $500 to $2,000 when enrolling the first child from a family. This non-refundable fee sometimes includes tuition refund insurance, or this insurance can be a separate extra charge.

• Discounts –Tuition reductions are available from some schools for enrolling siblings, upfront payments made early, family of the faculty, and those from low-income households.

Kindergarten FAQs

Is kindergarten mandatory?

Kindergarten is mandatory in 19 states and Washington, D.C. while other states offer exceptions to this requirement. If a child passes academic readiness screening, then some districts allow them to skip kindergarten and go right into first grade.The following states require children to attend kindergarten:

• Arkansas

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Hawaii

• Louisiana

• Maryland

• Nebraska

• Nevada

• New Mexico

• Ohio

• Oklahoma (half-day minimum)

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Virginia

• Washington D.C.

• West Virginia

• Wisconsin

What do you learn in kindergarten?

In kindergarten, children learn all or most of the following:

• Alphabet – Identify the letters of the alphabet.

• Reading – Learn short words that are easy to sound out.

• Writing – Print lower- and upper-case letters, short words, and their name.

• Numbers –Understand numbers 1 to 20 and basic counting.

• Basic addition & subtraction –Add or remove objects from a set.

• Time –Determine the time of day and the seasons.

• Shapes – Learn the names of basic shapes like a circle, square, rectangle, etc.

• Socialization skills – Make friends, resolve conflict, work in a team, and follow rules.

• Physical activities – Learn games that develop basic motor skills.

• Healthy habits – Review good personal hygiene practices.

At what age do kids start kindergarten?

Most states require kids to start kindergarten when they turn 5 years old on or before September 1st.

The table below shows states with different admission-age requirements.

How long is kindergarten?

Kindergarten lasts for 1 school year on average in half or full-day sessions, and some states allow up to 2 years of kindergarten. Local school districts decide the school schedule and programs to offer.

• Half-day programs last 2.5 to 4.0 hours daily while full-day programs are 5.0 to 6.5 hours long.

• Most states have kindergarten courses for 160 to 180 days per year.

Tips for finding a kindergarten

When searching for the best kindergarten near you, be sure to:

• Ask if all the teachers have college degrees and teaching licenses.

• Visit all the local public and private kindergarten options to compare them.

• Check if you qualify for free tuition or reduced enrollment fees.

• Read online reviews at TrustedCare.com and Google.

• Ask other parents and former students about their experiences at the school.

• Request copies of all enrollment forms, school policies, and curriculums.

• Keep copies of all payment schedules and the refund terms and conditions.

Questions to ask

• What is the average class size?

• How will my child be tested?

• What is the schedule for a typical day?

• Do you have programs for gifted children or those with learning difficulties?

• What will my child learn?

• Is additional tutoring available?

• How much time is there for recess or physical education?

• What kinds of homework do you assign?

• How often do teachers communicate with parents?

• Does the school offer a bus service?

• Can you show me the school supplies list?

• Is a school nurse available in the building?

• How are discipline issues handled?

• What are the school’s safety procedures?

• Are lunch or any snacks offered, and what do they cost?

• Can I take a tour of the school?