The California Department of Education, as part of its universal prekindergarten (UPK) initiative, recently published a toolkit that local educational agencies can use to find tips on communicating early learning options to families.
It includes ready-to-use information, such as talking points, social media and digital assets, videos, posters and flyers, as well as email, newsletter and text alert templates. The resources can be utilized to raise awareness for the state’s free and low-cost early learning options for 4-year-olds and help parents and guardians understand UPK programs and enroll their children. Translated materials are available in Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Chinese.
Everything included can be used as-is via existing methods of communication utilized by an LEA or customized to meet local context.
“This toolkit supports outreach to parents and caregivers of 4-year-olds across California, with an emphasis on families not currently connected to school districts,” the document states.
According to the UPK website, “California offers multiple early learning programs that help children build skills, explore, and get ready for kindergarten. Families can choose from preschool programs or free transitional kindergarten (TK) in public schools.”
Full- and half-day preschool and TK programs are offered, and TK is free for those who turn 4 years old by Sept. 1 at public schools.
For preschool, serving ages 2-4, programs can be no- or low-cost for qualifying families and based at locations like child care or home care centers and some elementary schools. “Some families qualify for no-cost or low-cost programs including Head Start, California State Preschool Programs, and California General Childcare Programs,” according to the UPK website.
Families are encouraged to choose an educational setting that works best for their needs while preparing children for success. In the programs, students learn through play and build confidence and social and school-readiness skills that will serve them as they transition to kindergarten and beyond.
