Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Programs

School Districts and Charter Schools Resources 

What is UPK?Assembly Bill 130 established an early learning initiative to expand access to universal prekindergarten.

● Universal Prekindergarten is a high-quality learning experience the year prior to kindergarten.

● By 2025–26, UPK will be offered to four-year-old children in California.

● UPK is a mixed delivery system that includes transitional kindergarten (TK), California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Head Start Programs, other early learning and care providers, and additional partners.

● Expanded Learning Opportunities Program also provides TK–6th grade students access to full-day programs aligned with the needs of parents.

Charter Schools Resources – SCOE Early Learning
School Districts and Charter Schools Resources – SCOE Early Learning
Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Programs – SCOE Early Learning

Transitional Kindergarten Age Eligibility Roll-Out

Explore the phased implementation schedule for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) age eligibility and learn about the key milestones in making this important educational transition a reality.

Find more information at the TKCalifornia website. Download the UPK Family Option Resource below. 

UPK Implementation Schedule – SCOE Early Learning
Implementer and Partner Engagement – SCOE Early Learning

Implementer and Partner Engagement

These materials are designed for county offices of education, districts, community-based partners providing California State Preschool Programs (CSPP), Head Starts, early childcare providers, and advocates to digest and use with teams to understand the various components and opportunities included with UPK as UPK programs are built locally.

● Slide Deck: Key information for implementers (PDF or PowerPoint)● Two-pager: Key information for implementers

Universal PreKindergarten Brand and Promotion Materials

● Universal PreKindergarten Logo and brand guidelines● Zoom backgrounds● Branded PowerPoint template● Signature block images● Branded Word Document Template

If you have any feedback or suggestions about how these materials can be improved, please submit them using this form.

Learn more about the Sacramento UPK Collaborative here.

Key Information for UPK Providers Serving 4 Year Olds

Key Information for UPK Providers Serving 4 Year Olds – SCOE Early Learning

Explore California Department of Education’s (CDE) comprehensive resources for early education! Download the CDE's Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Curriculum Guidance for 4-year-old children and the Transition to Elementary School toolkit to support your child's smooth journey from preschool to the elementary years.

Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Toolkit for English Learner Roadmap


Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Toolkit for English Learner Roadmap supports the implementation of the California English Learner Roadmap policy as a framework to guide practice in preschools/TK across the state.

This toolkit enacts the commitments of the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care to provide equitable access and quality care for dual language learners and utilizes the Principles of the California English Learner Roadmap to guide practice. Realizing the commitments to research-based, evidence-based practices that underlie both the Master Plan and the Roadmap, this Toolkit also draws heavily upon the professional knowledge base in early childhood education and the dual language development fields.

Illustration

The Promising Universal Prekindergarten Practice video series

The Promising Universal Prekindergarten Practice video series includes interviews with leaders from districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and partner agencies to support Universal Prekindergarten (UPK). 
The following video series describe collaborative partnerships, professional learning models, and strategies and resources to support developmentally-informed practices for UPK.

Family Information on UPK

Family Information on UPK – SCOE Early Learning

For questions about UPK, contact Dr. Julie Montali, Executive Director, Early Learning.