4K Information
Four-year-old Kindergarten (4K) is a school district operated program for 4-year-olds. DPI recognizes 4K as part of a sequential curriculum that is part of the K-12 system. Educators in a 4K program must have a DPI approved educator license. School districts can choose to offer either half-day or full-day four-year-old kindergarten (4K). If a district offers 4K, they must make it available to all eligible 4-year-olds residing in the school district.
4K Community Approach (4KCA) is a 4K program based on a contract between a public school district and a childcare site, a Head Start, or a private school. Educators in a 4KCA program must have a DPI approved educator license.
A child must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the school year and reside in a school district that offers the program to be eligible for 4K and 4KCA programs (Wis. Stat. §118.14(1)(a)).
Get Kids Ready
Get Kids Ready is not a 4K program. It is a new state-funded initiative for 4-year-olds in childcare sites that meet specific criteria outlined in Wisconsin 2025 Act 15. Unlike 4K and 4KCA educators, child care providers receiving Get Kids Ready funding must be licensed or certified by the Department of Children and Families. Get Kids Ready sites are not required to have educators that hold a DPI approved educator license. For more information on Get Kids Ready, please visit https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/getkidsready.
4K Community Approaches
The Benefits and Impact of 4K Community Approach Website, tells the story of what makes 4-year-old kindergarten community approaches (4KCA) good for children, families, child care, school districts, Head Start, community programs, and the general public.
Information and Resources:
- The 2017 DPI Policy and Information Advisory document is currently being updated. For questions about this information, contact Jennifer Bibler (608) 267-9172) for general information related to to 4-year-old kindergarten and to 4-year-old kindergarten community approaches.
- Rationale and Best Practices for 4-year-old Kindergarten
- Guiding Principles Curriculum Considerations
- 4K/5K Transition: Guidance
- Get Kids Ready, Department of Children and Families (DCF). For questions about Get Kids Ready, contact dcfgetkidsready@wisconsin.gov.