Transitional Kindergarten (TK) – Kindergarten for those not yet five years old by August 31st of that year. Children are enrolled as kindergartners and provided with kindergarten instruction.
Transition to Kindergarten (TTK) – Proposed (HB 1550) free state-funded pre-kindergarten for four and 5-year-old children at public schools that are required to meet some early learning quality standards as outlined in Early Achievers.
Licensed Child Care and Family Home Centers – Privately run child care and early learning programs that must be licensed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) – A Program funded by Washington State for children 3 and 4 and, in some locations, infants or toddlers. ECEAP provides high-quality, comprehensive services and requires following the ECEAP Performance Standards.
Head Start – Federally funded program for children ages 3 and 4 and, in some locations, for pregnant women and children birth to age 3. Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to 5 through services that support early learning and development, health, and family well-being.
The following chart briefly compares the critical qualities of these programs as they relate to high-quality standards for early learning. Unfortunately, the only programs on the chart required to follow ALL of the rules, regulations, and standards are privately run programs that are not free to families, thus creating considerable expense with no guaranteed enrollment or funding.
Additional information and resources on TK Comparison Chart pdf.
