A FAMILY GUIDE TO UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN
Big beginnings.
More than one way.
TK, preschool, or a familiar child care setting—explore early learning choices that fit your child and your family’s day.
Find your starting point01 / UNDERSTAND YOUR CHOICES
Find the setting that fits.
Select a pathway to focus the local contacts below. You can explore every option.
On a phone, swipe the table sideways.
| Ask about | TK | State preschool | Centers & homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 4 by September 1; contact school for placement | Program criteria apply; MCOE advertises 3–4-year-old preschool applications | Ages vary by provider |
| Cost | Free school program; ask separately about extended care | Ask about eligibility and any family fees | Rates vary; ask about subsidies |
| Your day | Confirm class hours, breaks and before/after-school care | Confirm current program hours and calendar | Confirm operating hours, closures and minimum days |
| Start here | School office or district | MCOE Early Learning & Care | Resource & Referral (R&R) |
02 / MAKE IT LOCAL
A starting point for your family.
Explore contacts—not a school assignment or a promise of an opening.
Planning for the 2026–27 school year. These selections stay on this page and reset when you reload. No child’s name or birth date is needed.
03 / TAKE THE NEXT STEP
One conversation can get you started.
Use this checklist for a school, preschool or child care provider.
A FEW COMMON QUESTIONS
You don’t have to know it all yet.
Is UPK the same thing as TK?
UPK is the wider range of early learning choices. TK is one public-school option within it. Your family can also explore preschool and community-based early learning settings. Read California’s family FAQs ↗
My child turns 4 after September 1. Where do I start?
Ask MCOE or R&R about preschool and other care options. For 2026–27 TK planning, the age cutoff is September 1, 2026. The school confirms placement and enrollment.
Does TK cover my whole workday?
Ask the school about the class schedule and any before- or after-school program. Confirm space, fees, transportation and care on breaks separately.
Can I get help in Spanish?
Ask the school or R&R for language assistance. MCOE links a Spanish program handbook on its early learning page. California’s UPK family site also offers multilingual resources. Visit California’s UPK resources ↗
What if my child needs extra support?
Share your child’s needs with the program and ask how it can support participation. Ask about accessible visits, language support and the appropriate district or MCOE contact.
What should I bring to enroll?
Ask your school or program for its current document list and help gathering it. If you are staying temporarily with others or lack stable housing, ask the district’s homeless education liaison for enrollment help.
Sources & updates · Reviewed October 21, 2026. This guide uses official school, district, MCOE and California UPK pages, plus the supplied MCOE referral list. Openings, fees, transportation and site-specific TK placement are not independently confirmed. Contact each program for current information.
Community filters organize nearby contacts; they do not establish school attendance boundaries. Missing listings do not mean no care exists. This is a guide to exploring choices, not an application.