Campaign
Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Mixed Delivery Initiative in San Francisco
Get involved
Your voice helps shape a stronger, more equitable UPK Mixed Delivery system in San Francisco. Join a workgroup meeting to share your perspective and stay connected with our work.UPK Workgroup meetingsOversight structure
The UPK Mixed Delivery Initiative uses a coordinated and community-centered approach to expanding early learning within a mixed-delivery system of public schools and community-based early education programs.
Mixed delivery refers to a range of early learning settings, including family child care homes, public schools and community-based centers.
This collaborative structure ensures that UPK activities reflect the needs of children and families, strengthen alignment across our early childhood system, and help identify opportunities for ongoing improvement.
UPK Mixed Delivery Steering Committee
Comprised of representatives from:
- San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
- San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC)
- Department of Early Childhood (DEC)
- Children’s Council of San Francisco
- Wu Yee Children’s Services
UPK Mixed Delivery Workgroup
UPK Mixed Delivery Workgroup includes center-based and family child care providers, resource and referral agencies, community-based organizations, and policy partners who support implementation and day-to-day coordination of UPK expansion. Learn more about the UPK Mixed Delivery Workgroup.
Interested in joining? Join a UPK Workgroup meeting.
Our vision
We envision a city where every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and thrive. We believe that all families—regardless of background, income, or neighborhood—deserve access to high-quality early learning options that work for them
Our strategies
Collaborative efforts
- UPK Mixed Delivery Workgroup: The Workgroup discusses San Francisco's UPK vision and efforts, collaborating on implementing the plan to leverage and align resources.
- Regular Meetings: Regular updates and discussions happen frequently in CPAC meetings and other venues to collect community input and ensure continuous alignment.
Community engagement
- Broad Stakeholder Participation: Engaging a wide range of stakeholders within the mixed-delivery system through regular in-person and virtual meetings.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Recording and disseminating discussions to gather feedback from the community through CPAC meetings and focus groups.
Priority areas
- Kindergarten Readiness: Reducing disparities in kindergarten readiness through targeted investments that support children and families in historically marginalized communities.
- Equitable Access to High-Quality Pre-K: Ensuring children from priority populations, including children with disabilities, can enroll in high-quality early learning programs across San Francisco’s mixed-delivery system.
- Educator Compensation and Career Sustainability: Supporting early educators with fair compensation, workplace dignity, professional development, and sustainable career pathways, particularly for women of color.
Professional development
- Multilingual Support: Focusing on the development of multilingual learners and educators.
- Inclusive Practices: Promoting inclusive and effective educational settings for all children.
Resources
California Department of Education (CDE) UPK
About
Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) expands California’s mixed-delivery early learning system to ensure every 3- and 4-year-old has access to high-quality early education. UPK offers families more options that fit their needs and values, including Transitional Kindergarten (TK).
By increasing access to play-based, developmentally appropriate learning, UPK supports children’s healthy growth and helps ensure they enter kindergarten ready to thrive. It is a key part of transforming California’s schools to better serve children and families.