Starting with the 2025-26 school year, all families in Santa Cruz County will have access to free or low-cost early learning through California’s Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) initiative, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education announced Monday.
The statewide program offers a variety of options for children ages 2 to 5, including transitional kindergarten, the California State Preschool Program and private early care providers regardless of family income or immigration status.
The programs aim to prepare children for lifelong learning by fostering early academic and social-emotional development. Families interested in enrolling their children in transitional kindergarten – children who turn 4 by Sept. 1 are eligible – can contact their local school district.
To learn more about CSPP and other UPK options for families in Santa Cruz County, families can contact the COE’s Child Development Resource Center via phone at 831-466-5820 or toll-free at 833-774-4596, or visit childcare.santacruzcoe.org.
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