Universal Prekindergarten Planning Toolkit

Universal Prekindergarten Planning Toolkit: A Resource for County Offices of Education in California

The Universal Prekindergarten Planning Toolkit: A Resource for County Offices of Education in California is a resource guide that has been developed in response to recent legislation and investments. It offers approaches and examples to assist local education agencies with universal prekindergarten (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 Universal Prekindergarten Planning Template, released by the California Department of Education in December 2021.

California’s historic investments in early education have created new and expanded opportunities to provide equitable learning experiences for all young students. Universal prekindergarten implementation will rely on a mixed-delivery system, supported by investments in universal transitional kindergarten, state preschool, and expanded learning, as well as comprehensive support for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Critical to this mixed-delivery system are two key programs: transitional kindergarten and state preschool, and the additional delivery options offered through programs such as Head Start, community-based preschool programs, family child care, and family, friend, and neighbor care.

Assembly Bill 1301 (2021–22) established an early education initiative to expand access to classroom-based prekindergarten programs offered by school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools. The collaboration among county offices of education, local educational agencies, state preschool programs, expanded learning programs, community partners, and families is essential to ensure a clearly articulated preschool through third grade early education system for all students.