As you may know Universal Prekindergarten (UPK), California’s way of providing early care and education choices for all 3- and 4-year-olds, is here (click here for UPK Information Sheet). We understand you may have a variety of questions about UPK including:
- What is it?
- What does it mean for my family?
- How do I select a program?
- How will the choice I make affect my child?
UPK Liaison, Tondra Gardner, has recently joined the Family Engagement Team at Connections for Children (CFC) to answer some of these questions and more! Tondra brings over 25 years of experience in the Early Learning Community and has supported children and families in a variety of ways including: educating early childhood educators on the importance of high-quality care, providing Licensed Child Care to children in her own home, and serving as Program Director for a child care center serving families experiencing homelessness.
Tondra is a parent, educator, and PLAY advocate who is passionate about promoting the power of enriched early childhood experiences. She looks forward to engaging in virtual or in-person UPK information sessions being offered later this Spring. Starting Strong: Conversations on UPK & Early Care will provide CFC families with UPK resources, share the importance of choosing the “right fit” for the child/family, and invite opportunities for parents to ask questions and share feedback regarding their concerns.
For more information on Universal Prekindergarten, please contact Tondra Gardner, UPK Liaison, at (310) 452-3325, Ext. 233 or tondrag@cfc-ca.org.
