Universal PreKindergarten Guidance

Universal PreKindergarten Guidance

To help introduce LEA leaders to early education concepts, agencies, and structures, the California Department of Education (CDE) has developed a Universal PreKindergarten Planning and Implementation Guidance document.

Universal PreKindergarten Planning and Implementation Guidance Volume 1 (DOCX)

Volume 1 includes guidance on:

• California's PreKindergarten Through Third (P-3) Grade Vision,
• Early Learning and Care Infrastructure,
• Early Learning and Care Programs, Program Standards, and Staffing Ratios,
• Research on Why Early Education Matters,
• UPK and Family Choice,
• Description of Enrollment Data and Projections,
• Projected Enrollment and Needs Assessment - Key Considerations,
• Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment Projection Methodology,
• Early Admittance Transitional Kindergarten,
• Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions,
• Full Day and Part Day,
• Funding Sources That Can Be Utilized for Extended Learning and Care,
• Models of Service Delivery for Universal Prekindergarten for all Four-Year-Old Children,
• Models of Blending Programs to Offer Extended Learning and Care,
• Opportunities to Engage Communities in UPK Planning,
• Facilities Requirements, Planning Considerations, and Resources

Universal PreKindergarten Planning and Implementation Guidance Volume 2 (DOCX)

Volume 2 includes guidance on:

• UPK Leadership Structures,
• Integrating UPK within District Local Control Accountability Plans,
• Supporting Access and Enrollment Equity,
• Partner Deep Dives,
• COE Support for UPK Planning and Implementation,
• CSPP - Information for Parents,
• Head Start - Information for Parents,
• Supporting UPK through Community Schools,
• UPK Workforce Requirements,
• Workforce Development Funding Opportunities,
• Professional Learning for Leaders and Principals,
• Research on Benefits of Joint Professional Learning,
• Best Practices for In-Service Preparation,
• Professional Learning on Observational Assessments,
• Best Practices and Resources for Recruitment,
• P-3 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment - Supporting Children with Disabilities
• P-3 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment - Language Models and Supporting Dual Language Learners,
• Head Start Curriculum Review,
• UPK Curriculum and Assessment Selection,
• Supporting Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Development,
• Early Math-Math Matters,
• Funding Sources That Can Be Utilized For Facilities,
• Supervision of Young Children,
• Implementing Universal Meals in UPK,
• Transportation
  
  Guidance will be released in a rolling manner. The CDE is excited to announce the launch of a California Universal PreKindergarten/Preschool to Third Grade (UPK/P-3) Group on the California Educators Together platform! The CDE created the UPK/P-3 Group on the platform to share resources and guidance for local education agencies and partners to use in preparation for the implementation of UPK in California. The most up-to-date guidance can be found in the UPK/P-3 Group on California Educators Together

The Universal PreKindergarten Planning Toolkit California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) created a resource for COE in response to recent legislation and investments. It offers approaches and examples to assist LEAs with UPK and preschool through third grade (P–3) continuum planning and capacity building. This toolkit is a companion document to align with focus areas outlined in the UPK Planning Templates that can be found on the UPK Planning and Implementation webpage.