San Luis Obispo County Early Care & Education Information for Families
There are free and low-cost pre-kindergarten programs available in your community!
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) brings more flexible, high-quality early learning choices for your 3- and 4-year-olds that meet your family's childcare needs. All families in California–regardless of immigration & income status–are eligible to participate.
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 Pre-Kindergarten 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:
- A utility bill sent to your home
- A rental agreement or mortgage
Please see the below links for each of our local school districts. Contact the school district in your area for more information about their TK enrollment process.
- Almond Acres Charter Academy
- Atascadero Unified School District
- Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School
- Cayucos Elementary School District
- Coast Unified School District (Cambria and San Simeon)
- Lucia Mar Unified School District (Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Nipomo, Shell Beach)
More about California State Preschool Program (CSPP)
What is the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS)?
- CSPP and HS/EHS are state- and federally-funded, high-quality preschool programs for children to learn together through play and develop their social skills.
- CSPP and HS/EHS is available for free or low-cost to eligible families of three- and four-year-old children.
- CSPP and HS/EHS are programs that are available in a variety of different settings, depending on your area. Visit the links below to connect directly with a CSPP or HS/EHS provider.
Who can attend a CSPP and Head Start?
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 or Head Start?
Visit:
- Early Learning Centers - San Luis Obispo County Office of Education (programs county-wide)
- CAPSLO Head Start & Early Head Start (programs county-wide)
- Child Development Resource Center of the Central Coast (City of SLO)
- Cal Poly ASI Children's Center (City of SLO)
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California’s Universal PreKindergarten is a program of the California Department of Education. This website is maintained by the SLO County Early Care & Education Planning Council.