Preschool Study Finds that Most California Children Attend Preschool, but Educational Quality Falls Short

More than half of California’s preschoolers attend center-based early care and education programs, but the children who have the most to gain from preschool frequently are those least likely to participate in the programs, according to a new RAND Corporation study. The study is funded, in part, by Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP).

Researchers found that children from lower-income families, children whose mothers have less education and Latino children are significantly less likely than others to attend center-based early care and education programs, even though they are among the groups that consistently show a lack of readiness for school.

While research has demonstrated that high-quality preschool can help children prepare for kindergarten and later grades, RAND researchers found that the quality of preschool in California is mixed.

"The study points to the challenges everyone faces in giving children throughout California a high-quality preschool experience," said Dr. Gary Mangiofico, CEO of LAUP.  "Here in Los Angeles County, LAUP is giving many families access to affordable preschool in their neighborhood and making sure that the thousands of children in our network receive an educational experience that truly prepares them for success in kindergarten."

Click here for the report and related materials.

LAUP Offers Children in Foster and Relative Care Free Preschool Education to Give Them a Better Start in Life

As part of its commitment to give every child in Los Angeles County access to a high-quality preschool education, LAUP has launched a community-benefit program to enroll children in foster or relative care in LAUP-funded preschools at no cost.  The Foster and Relative Care Initiative (FRCI) is part of a larger effort to better prepare at-risk children for kindergarten and beyond.

LAUP will offer free preschool to any child in foster care who lives in Los Angeles County and turns four-years-old by Dec. 2 of the preschool program year, which runs from July through June.  Four-year-olds who are not in foster care, but reside with relatives other than their birth parents, may also attend for free.  Foster parents and relative caregivers with children enrolled in LAUP preschools will be offered additional training and support.

Click here for more information about the Foster and Relative Care Initiative.

RFP for Preschool Quality Assessments

*** Due date amended to June 30, 2008 ***

LAUP is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to develop a pool of high-quality organizations to conduct quality assessments of LAUP-funded preschool providers using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS-R, FDCRS, FCCRS-R) measurement tools and provide a summary report for each assessment.  The selected organization will conduct approximately 400 assessments throughout Los Angeles County during fiscal year 2008-2009 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009).

Click here for more information and to download a copy of the RFP.

The Vendor Discount Program is designed to provide cost-savings through special discounts on educational supplies and equipment from many retailers.

All LAUP providers are eligible to participate!  Discount cards are currently being mailed out to all our contracted providers.  Simply show your card to any participating retailer at time of purchase to receive your discount.  Cards must be provided at all times to verify your LAUP status.

Click here for more information and for a detailed list of participating vendors.

The next LAUP Board Meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2008.