Transitional Kindergarten (Pre-K5)

An Extra Year to Learn, Grow, and Shine

At Our Lady of Grace, our Transitional Kindergarten (Pre-K5) program gives children something priceless: an extra year of Kindergarten. It’s a chance to enjoy the full Kindergarten experience, reading, writing, math, science, art, music, languages, and play, in a nurturing, small-class setting where every child is known and encouraged.

Children in Pre-K5 complete the entire Kindergarten curriculum with us. After their year here, they go on to complete Kindergarten again at another school. This “bonus year” is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive: extra time to grow, build confidence, and enjoy the joy of learning without being rushed.

Who Transitional Kindergarten Serves

Our Pre-K5 program is designed for:

• Children in the state age gap: Connecticut law requires children to be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enter Kindergarten. Pre-K5 provides a full Kindergarten year for those with birthdays just after the cutoff who are not yet eligible.

• Children who benefit from an extra instructional year: Some children thrive with an additional year of structured Kindergarten instruction before moving ahead. Pre-K5 allows them to strengthen skills, reinforce concepts, and grow in maturity in a supportive environment.

What Makes Pre-K5 Special?

📚 The Full Kindergarten Curriculum
Phonics, literacy, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, and languages, every subject is taught at a Kindergarten level, ensuring a complete academic foundation.

🌱 The Gift of Extra Time
Because children repeat Kindergarten elsewhere, they get the chance to master skills twice, leading to stronger academics, greater independence, and a major boost in confidence.

🎉 Joyful Learning
Hands-on projects, creative play, outdoor adventures, and artistic expression make every day fun, engaging, and memorable.

🤝 Friendship & Social Growth
Children learn cooperation, responsibility, empathy, and leadership in a close-knit classroom where friendships flourish.

Preparing for Success

At the end of their year with us, Transitional Kindergarten students move on to Kindergarten elsewhere with:

• A solid academic foundation already in place.

• Confidence and maturity that come from an additional year of growth.

• A joyful love of learning that makes their second Kindergarten year a time to soar.

Why Families Love Pre-K5

Parents often describe Transitional Kindergarten as one of the best decisions they ever made:

• “It gave our son the gift of time — he entered Kindergarten confident, capable, and happy.”

• “She mastered the skills once here, and the second time in Kindergarten elsewhere, she absolutely thrived.”

• “The extra year turned out to be exactly what our child needed — socially and academically.”

A Joyful Beginning, A Strong Future

Transitional Kindergarten at Our Lady of Grace is not about waiting, it is about giving children more: more time, more growth, more confidence, and more joy. It’s an amazing opportunity for children to thrive today, and to be fully prepared for tomorrow.

Please click here to visit Kindergarten Pathways for a side-by-side comparison between Traditional Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten/Pre-K5