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Universal Preschool for West Sacramento (UP 4 WS) Universal preschool for West Sacramento, known as UP 4 WS, is a partnership among the City of West Sacramento, Washington Unified School District, First 5 Yolo and First 5 California with the primary goal of offering quality, free and voluntary preschool to all 4-year-old children in West Sacramento. Establishing high-quality curriculum standards, elevating preschool teachers' pay to professional wage levels and enticing new educators into the classroom also are essential components of the UP 4 WS plan. As of September 2006, just over 135 pre-existing preschool slots were funded by UP 4 WS. Gradual, yearly increases of available slots over 10 years will make voluntary, no-cost, early education available to all West Sacramento pre-kindergarteners by 2016, regardless of parental income. Ten percent of these spaces will be prioritized for children with special needs or disabilities. All UP 4 WS providers also will screen students for developmental status and make appropriate referrals. Partial-day preschool classes engaging children in proven, educational and social learning experiences will take place in public as well as private centers, including licensed, home-site childcare settings and faith-based programs. All UP 4 WS program locations will meet ADA standards and have the necessary and appropriate indoor and outdoor rooms, equipment and materials for preschool work and play. Curriculum and teaching methods accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) will be presented by qualified teachers meeting requirements fully outlined by UP 4 WS. Not only will an increasing number of preschool slots be made available each year, but the quality of existing preschools will be enhanced by additional funding available for training, workforce development, teacher support and salaries. UP 4 WS teachers must possess, or be on an approved path to obtain, the necessary qualifications to teach within the program. To that end, the West Sacramento campus of Sacramento City College has added an Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree case manager to recruit existing preschool teachers and create education plans. The ECE advisor also will help college students and high school graduates interested in entering the field and pursuing degree programs. Incentives, such as tuition-for-service agreements, for college students who complete their ECE degree are being established. Currently, annual stipends of up to $1,500 are available for students in the ECE field through existing programs such as CARES and CTC. UP 4 WS is overseen by the UP 4 WS Advisory Council, which includes a representative of the West Sacramento City Council, the assistant city manager, a Washington Unified School District board member, a local community college dean, a home preschool provider, a private preschool representative, the county's Childcare Planning Council coordinator, a First 5 Yolo Commissioner and the Childcare Services coordinator. Funding is shared, with the city providing two-fifths, First 5 Yolo and First 5 California each providing an additional one-fifth and the remainder raised through fund development. Partners have made a five-year commitment to funding the program through 2010. Please click on the following links for additional information about UP 4 WS. UP 4 WS First Annual Report |
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