Kindergarten in Tecate: how to tell if your child is ready
Signs of readiness, settling in, and what to bring on day one
«Is she ready for kindergarten?» is the question families in Tecate ask most as their child approaches three. The answer depends on the age the calendar sets and on what your child can already do. This guide helps with both.
Age: what the calendar decides
The grade is set by the age reached on December 31 of the year the school year begins. A child who turns three in November starts first grade of kindergarten; one who turns three in January starts the following year.
Signs they're ready
- They can be apart from you for a while without lasting distress.
- They understand simple one- or two-step instructions.
- They communicate: asking for water, saying they're sleepy or that something hurts.
- They seek out other children, even if they still play beside them rather than with them.
- They eat with some independence.
None of these is required. If some are missing, kindergarten is also where they get built; what matters is that the school knows and supports them.
Settling in, step by step
Before starting
Visit the school together, meet the teacher and talk about kindergarten with enthusiasm, without overdoing it.
The first days
Short, clear goodbyes. Lingering at the door makes the crying last longer.
The first week
Steady schedules and routines at home: sleeping well matters more than it seems.
The first month
Ask the teacher how it's going, and tell her about changes at home: a new sibling, a move.
What to bring on day one
- A backpack with a change of clothes labeled with their name.
- A simple snack and water.
- Something that reminds them of home, if the school allows it.
- Your up-to-date phone number on file.
At Colegio Encinos preschool starts in first grade, at three years old by December 31. If your child falls right on the line, tell us their date of birth and we'll look at it with you.
Quick questions
What if they cry every day?
It's common in the first weeks. If it's still happening after a month, it's worth reviewing with the teacher what's going on.
Is it better to wait another year?
If their age qualifies them, the usual thing is to enroll. Delaying without a reason can leave them bored in the group later on.
What's the difference between kindergarten and preschool?
None: «kindergarten» is the common name for preschool, which has three grades.
Come visit Colegio Encinos
Book a visit, walk through the classrooms and the playground, and ask anything you need. Enrollment open for 2026 – 2027.