Imperfect Paradise: California's new free public preschool program for 4-year-olds

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🗓️ 14 November 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

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Summary

All four-year-olds in the state of California now have access to a free preschool program in their local school district. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a plan to expand the state’s transitional kindergarten, or TK, program in May 2021, as part of a broader move to create the largest free early education program in the U.S. So what does transitional kindergarten offer kids and what are the challenges in its implementation? In this episode of Imperfect Paradise, we break it down with the LAist education team: Higher Education Reporter Julia Barajas, Senior K-12 Reporter Mariana Dale and Senior Early Childhood Reporter Elly Yu.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This Old House Radio Hour is your new home improvement podcast.
0:04.0	In each episode, we answer your questions.
0:07.0	Whether you're fixing a leak, refinishing a floor, or restoring a century-old house,
0:11.0	our roster of experts have the answers to help you get the job done right.
0:15.0	This is Larry Mantle.
0:16.0	Looking forward to seeing our Coachella Valley listeners at our next AirTon 40th anniversary event.
0:21.9	We'll be at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory on Wednesday afternoon,
0:26.3	December 3rd, tickets at Aleas.com slash events.
0:30.6	This is in Perfect Paradise.
0:32.1	I'm your host, Nereida Moreno, filling in for Antonia Serejido.
0:37.7	Every four-year-old in California now has free access to transitional kindergarten or TK in their
0:43.5	local school district.
0:44.9	That means families across the state have a new option, which could potentially save them
0:49.3	thousands of dollars a year in child care.
0:52.3	It could also mean an influx of children into the public school system,
0:55.9	which some elementary schools may not be ready for. So why did California decide to expand
1:02.3	preschool through public school instead of through existing spaces? Have districts had enough
1:07.3	time to get ready for this mandate? And what should you know about this
1:11.2	TK program, whether you're a parent or not? Joining us now to break it all down is the L-Aist
1:18.5	education team. Higher education reporter Julia Barajas, senior K-12 reporter Mariana Dale,
1:25.3	and senior early childhood reporter, L.E. you. Hey, everyone. Hi, Nerita.
1:30.9	So, Ellie, I'll start with you. You've been covering pre-K education for a while now. How significant is this transitional kindergarten program in that context?
	...

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