The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) today announced every family in Santa Cruz County with young children now has access to high-quality early learning opportunities through California’s Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) initiative, beginning with the 2025–26 school year. As part of a transformative statewide effort, the UPK initiative offers a range of free and low-cost programs for children aged 2–5, regardless of family income or immigration status.
UPK offers families flexibility, including Transitional Kindergarten, the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), as well as private early care and education providers. Together, these options support early academic and social-emotional development while helping children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
“The introduction of Universal PreKindergarten for local families is a major milestone for education in Santa Cruz County,” said Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools. “It reflects our commitment to equity and opportunity by providing access to early learning opportunities to every child in our community — regardless of their family’s background or income.”
Research consistently demonstrates that high-quality early learning experiences significantly enhance academic readiness and social-emotional development in children. UPK helps bridge the gap between early childhood and the TK–12 system, preparing students for long-term success and assisting schools to support all learners.
“The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is proud to help lead this initiative and encourages families to explore the early care and learning options available to them,” said Caryn Lane, Director of Early Childhood Services at the COE. “Together, we can ensure that every child in Santa Cruz County enters kindergarten confident, curious and ready to thrive.”
Transitional Kindergarten (TK): A Free Pre-K Option for 4-Year-Olds
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, all children who turn 4 by September 1 are eligible for TK, a free, play-based program offered through California public schools. TK helps children develop the social and academic skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. While TK is not required, participation has been shown to significantly benefit children’s early development.
Families interested in enrolling their child in TK should contact their local school district. To enroll, families will need to provide proof of age, immunization records and verification of residence.
California State Preschool Program (CSPP): For Eligible Children Ages 2–5
CSPP provides free or low-cost, high-quality preschool to eligible families with children ages 2 to 5. These programs are offered in a variety of settings across the county and emphasize developmentally appropriate, play-based learning. Eligibility is determined based on family income and other criteria.
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 (CDRC) at (831) 466-5820, toll-free at (833) 774-4596, or visit childcare.santacruzcoe.org.