New Kindergarten Age Rules Subject Of Southington School Forum

SOUTHINGTON, CT — New laws on the age of kindergarteners take effect soon and Southington parents of current pre-kindergarten pupils turning 5 between Sept. 2, 2024, and Jan. 1, 2025, are invited to a special information forum next week.

It will take place Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at J.A. DePaolo Middle School, 385 Pleasant St., Southington.

There are new cutoff dates for admission to kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year and children who turn 5 on Sept. 2 or later are, now, no longer eligible for kindergarten until the next school year.

In prior years, children turning 5 late in the year were able to attend kindergarten that same year, meaning children who are 4 years old, in some cases, would be kindergarteners.

The state legislature approved the new age mandate earlier this year, something proponents said would help give younger pupils more time to prepare for kindergarten and develop.

Some critics, though, said the move means more financial hardship for parents who must find day care, which can break family budgets, for another year.

"We hope you will be able to join us to discuss and answer any questions or concerns you may have," wrote the Southington School System on its website.

To RSVP for the forum, click on this link.

For more information on the new changes regarding the age of kindergartners, click on this link.