Pre-k to Kindergarten: Access to High Quality Pre-k and a Strong Transition to Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-k)

The early childhood learning continuum begins at birth and continues through age nine. 

Research shows that access to even one additional year of high quality pre-k learning has been shown to improve learning and life outcomes for children, including strengthening kindergarten readiness. 

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (Pre-K Counts) provides high-quality, no-cost pre-kindergarten to eligible three- and four-year-olds in Pennsylvania.

Pre-K Counts is designed for children:

• who are residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• whose families meet the income eligibility requirements of at or below 300% of the federal poverty level for their family size
• are between the age of 3 and younger than the Kindergarten entry age for the district in which they reside

Once these eligibility requirements are met, enrollment procedures are based on local community needs.  These procedures may contain other considerations for enrollment, such as; diagnosed disabilities or developmental delays,  English as a second language, or any other factor that the program deems as a priority to ensure that their communities’ needs are being served.

If you’re looking for a Pre-K Counts program in Allegheny County, Trying Together is pleased to work with our partners to provide the following list of open Pre-K Counts enrollment opportunities. Learn more about Pre-K Counts and eligibility requirements.

See more information about the following 2025-26 school year programs:

• Woodland Hills School District’s PA Pre-K Counts Program

Kindergarten Transition

The transition to kindergarten marks an exciting and critical point in the lives of children and families.

Students who are ready for kindergarten and attend the first day of school are more likely to read on grade-level by third grade, regularly attend school, make friends, and are less likely to drop out of high school. Early and on-time registration allows schools and districts to plan for classroom materials, resources, and staff as they prepare to welcome a new group of students. It also enables families to establish relationships with teachers and administrators that are so important for easing the stress and anxiety of children (and their families) as they begin elementary school.

Learn more about the importance of Kindergarten Transition with Trying Together’s Kindergarten Transition Whitepaper (PDF).

Register for Kindergarten

• Kindergarten Registration Information for the 2025-26 School Year: Allegheny County
• Kindergarten Registration Information for Fayette, Westmoreland, Greene, Armstrong, Butler Countries

Top 10 Kindergarten Readiness Skills

Hi5! collaborated with a group of pre-k and kindergarten teachers to develop a list of academic, social, emotional, and physical skills for children entering kindergarten based on the PA Early Learning Standards. A list of more than 30 skills was sent to educators in school districts, child care programs, and Head Start programs throughout the region—including Allegheny, Butler, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties. View the checklist (PDF).

Translated versions:

• Spanish (PDF)
• Arabic (PDF)
• Swahili (PDF)
• Pashto (PDF)
• Dari (PDF)

About the Hi5! Partnership

Hi5! Kindergarten transition efforts are led in partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (AIU3), Trying Together, and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania (who generously fund the project). We have a leadership team that consists of community and state partners, principals, Head Start administrators, and early learning program directors. The Hi5! Partnership focuses on engaging all 43 public school districts in Allegheny County and supports each district to:

• • develop and implement their own kindergarten transition plans;
  • build awareness with families that when “your child reaches five years of age, it’s time to register” them for kindergarten;
  • network and share best practices between pre-k teachers, kindergarten teachers, early childhood program directors, and school administrators; and
  • gather community resources throughout the county.

These efforts align with the Every Student Succeeds Act, the new federal law passed in 2015 which required states to have a plan that includes thinking about the transition to kindergarten and how districts connect with early learning programs.

For more information about the project, transition teams, and activities, please email hi5@tryingtogether.org, or view the Hi5! overview (PDF).

Additional Resources

• Transitioning to Kindergarten | NAEYC
• Transition To Kindergarten – The Pennsylvania Key
• Kindergarten Life Skills Checklist from Evan-Moore