It's been more than 10 years since California voters approved Proposition 10, a 1998 ballot initiative that added a 50 cent-per pack tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products to help fund programs for children.  Before that time, little attention to funding was given to Early Care and Education programs in the state.  Since the passage of Proposition 10, about $590 million dollars a year has been generated to provide funding for community health care, quality child care and education programs for young children and families, customized to meet local needs.

From this revenue, First 5 California was formed, and subsequently created 58 local agencies around the state such as First 5 LA to support the proper care and development of children between the ages of birth to five-years-old.  After much research and the creation of a Universal Preschool master plan (First 5 LA established and funded Los Angeles Universal Preschool as an independent non-profit organization.  First 5 LA committed $600 million to support preschool services for four-year-olds in Los Angeles County.

Since 2005, Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) has supported the operation and/or development of more than 325 preschools in Los Angeles County, touching the lives of over 50,000 children through enriching curricula and nurturing environments aimed to best prepare children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

LAUP provides a multitude of services, including:

• Providing financial backing and a business structure for preschool providers to improve existing preschools.
• Coaching support and mentoring by experienced educators to enhance quality and fiscal stability among LAUP preschools, and boost the involvement of parents in their child's preschool experience.
• Giving parents choices about where to send their child to preschool. LAUP preschools include private, public, charter, faith-based and family home care programs.
• Increasing access to preschool for thousands of children in Los Angeles County by providing the operating funds needed to fill previously empty classrooms.