![California-County-Superintendents---Primary-Logo---tagline[1].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/55f199_688af1605f6c47be85c36ffa2f7a130c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_245,h_76,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/California-County-Superintendents---Primary-Logo---tagline%5B1%5D.png){kind=logo}
Early Education Support for Preschool to Grade 3 (P-3).
Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is reshaping early learning across California through expanded access, strong alignment, and a focus on the whole child. Across the state, County Offices of Education (COEs) are partnering with local agencies, community providers, and families to build a more connected and supportive early experience for young learners.
California's Great Start.
California’s historic investments in early education expands opportunities to provide equitable and inclusive learning experiences for all young learners. Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) serves young learners ages four to five, as well as eligible 3-year-olds through subsidized programs, using a mixed-delivery system.
Rooted in California’s vision for equity and quality in early learning, P–3 alignment emphasizes developmentally informed practices, inclusive environments, and strong family partnerships to close opportunity gaps and build strong educational foundations. A well-aligned P–3 continuum ensures that children experience coherent, developmentally informed, and equitable learning from their earliest years through third grade—an approach that directly supports Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) priorities by fostering early academic success, social-emotional development, and long-term educational outcomes for all students.
For COEs.
COEs are critical leaders in convening early education and care partners to support the development of a universal prekindergarten system through a mixed-delivery approach. The Universal Prekindergarten Planning Toolkit: A Resource for County Offices of Education supports California COEs in guiding local educational agencies (LEAs) with UPK and P-3 planning. This toolkit complements the UPK Planning Template released by the California Department of Education (CDE), and provides strategies and examples for building capacity and offering technical assistance. ​​​​​
For Administrators.
The purpose of the UPK Resource Guide for Administrators is to provide a compilation of accessible online resources for administrators to support UPK implementation.
​
The guide highlights resources in the following areas:
1. Developmentally Appropriate Teaching and Learning
2. Professional Development and Articulation
3. Family and Community Engagement
4. Braiding and Blending Funding
5. Transitional Kindergarten Policy, Reports, and Resources
For Educators.
The CISC Educator Preparation Subcommittee has developed a guide outlining the various pathways into the teaching profession for Transitional Kindergarten educators. Approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the California Department of Education, the resources is designed to be a resource for districts and counties across the state.
Promising UPK Practices.
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). Each video focuses on a UPK Focus Area as described in the Universal Prekindergarten Template released by the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Universal Prekindergarten Planning Toolkit: A Resource for County Offices of Education in California released by the California County Superintendents. The following video series describe collaborative partnerships, professional learning models, and strategies and resources to support developmentally-informed practices for UPK.