Information for Families

There are free and low-cost prekindergarten programs available in your community!

Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) brings more flexible, high-quality early learning choices for your 3- and 4-year-olds that meet your families’ childcare needs. All families in California–regardless of immigration & income status–are eligible to participate.

Learn More about Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Learn More about CA State Preschool Program (CSPP)

Steps to Learn More About UPK Programs in Your Community

Check out the chart below and think about which UPK programs could work best for you and your family.
Follow the steps below to learn more about the UPK programs your family is interested in.

The chart below gives information on the preschool programs that may be available in your community.


Name	California State Preschool Program (CSPP)	Head Start	Private Pay Preschool	Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
Age	3- and 4-year-olds	3- and 4-year-olds	3- and 4-year-olds	4-year-olds, depending on birthday
What it is	Preschool program funded by the State of California	Federally-funded preschool program	Preschool and childcare programs	Part of the public elementary school system that takes place the year before Kindergarten
Schedules	Part-day and full-day options determined by providers	Part-day and full-day options determined by providers	Part-day and full-day options determined by individual preschool providers	Part-day and full-day options determined by providers
Cost	Free or low-cost, depending on families’ income and other factors	Free, depending on families’ income and other factors	Fees determined by individual preschool providers. Some families may be eligible for state subsidized vouchers to cover the costs of care.	Free to everyone, regardless of income

More about Transitional Kindergarten

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a free PreKindergarten program where children learn together through play and develop their social skills. All four-year-old children are eligible for TK the year before entering Kindergarten. TK is free of charge as part of California’s public school system.

Who can attend TK?

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, all children who turn four by September 1 are eligible for TK.

How do I decide if TK is right for my family?

Since TK may not cover all the hours some families need child care, it’s important to think about what works best for your family. Many families choose to have their child attend a before- or after-school program in addition to TK. Free before- and after-school programs may be available for families who qualify. Be sure to ask your school about the options available in your area.

How do I sign my child up for TK?

Your local school district can tell you which elementary schools in your neighborhood offer TK programs, as some elementary schools do not have a TK program.

To enroll your child, you will need to provide, at minimum, the following required documentation to your local school district:

Your child’s birth certificate
Your child’s immunization records
Two proofs of your residence:
1. A utility bill sent to your home
2. A rental agreement or mortgage

Here are links to the TK enrollment pages of CA’s school districts with the highest enrollment in alphabetical order:

More about California State Preschool Program (CSPP)

What is the California State Preschool Program (CSPP)?

CSPP is a state-funded, high-quality preschool program for children to learn together through play and develop their social skills.

CSPP is available for free or low-cost to eligible families of three- and four-year-old children.
CSPP is a program that is available in a variety of different settings, depending on your area. Check with your local resource and referral network to find out what options are available to you.

Who can attend a CSPP?

Three- and four-year-old children (and some two-year-olds) may qualify if:

Any member of their family receives government assistance (like CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, WIC, or Head Start)
Their family is income eligible (at or below 100% of the State Median Income)
Their family is experiencing homelessness
The child has an identified disability with an individual family service plan (IFSP) or individual education program (IEP)
The child receives child protective services or is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation

How can I enroll my child in a CSPP?

Contact your local Resource and Referral agency and ask them about State preschool programs near you! You can find your local Resource and Referral agency here or call 1-800-KIDS-793.