Universal Pre-K

ECPAC is now serving as the local implementation support organization for Adams County after the passage of SB26-019.  Additionally, as a result of budget constraints, the components of UPK will be shared at a higher level between the Colorado Dept of Early Childhood (CDEC) and local Councils (ECPAC).

CDEC provides statewide leadership and coordination by establishing statewide policies and processes, overseeing programs such as UPK, coordinating funding, and providing training and technical assistance. ECCs provide local coordination and connection by bringing local knowledge and relationships to the early childhood system, helping connect families to programs and services, coordinating outreach and community partnerships, and working with providers to strengthen access to early childhood opportunities within their communities.

Together, CDEC and ECCs connect Colorado’s statewide early childhood system with the providers, families and communities it serves. As this new structure continues to take shape, we are working together to strengthen support, identify challenges, and develop solutions.

Therefore, ECPAC is responsible for:

• Recruitment of ECE programs to be UPK providers and connect providers to available information and guidelines
  • New Universal Preschool Provider Onboarding Guide: Final – Google Docs
• Outreach to families to enroll in UPK – especially in areas where enrollment is low and support families in applying as needed
• Provide coaching and technical assistance to UPK providers on meeting the quality preschool standards
  • ECPAC has created a resource list for UPK providers and families to support compliance with healthy development standards:
    • English
    • Spanish
  • Note: The information provided in the standards generally relates to preschool general education. Preschool special education may involve additional or different standards and requirements. Learn more about Universal Preschool Colorado and special education.

CDEC is responsible for:

• Ensuring needed communication to providers through emails, memos, and their website.
• Keeping the UPK Resource Bank updated
• Supporting all back-end ticket support for the UPK on-line platform for both programs and families
• Providing payment to UPK programs – see latest information on rates
• Continuing development of the UPK quality service standards and planned oversight and alignment with the Quality Improvement System refresh for the full early care and education system.
• Continued efforts related to rule-making process for UPK

UPK Provider Rates ~ listed for Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County

Expectations:

1. Staff training to be completed by July 1^st (or have a plan to complete soon after – we can support you with this): UPK Training Chart – Google Docs
2. Beginning July 1, 2026, providers must within six (6) months of participating: Have and share (either on the provider’s website or in a handbook distributed to all participating families) policies and procedures for informing families of how they can access valid and reliable services for each of the following (see link for requirements)

• • Sample policies for programs to use within their handbooks or on their websites are available in the Resource Bank ~ Preschool providers can use these documents to assess and strengthen their Healthy Development policies and processes.
    • Healthy Development Sample Policy   | 
    • General Health Appraisal Form (for developmental, social-emotional, vision, hearing, and oral health screening)   | 
    • Oral Health Form (for oral health screening)   | 
    • Health Screening Opt-Out Form (for families who choose not to have their children screened)   | 
    • Information for Families:
      • To share electronically:
        • English; Spanish
      • Flyers:
        • Color English; Color Spanish
        • Black and White English; Black and White Spanish

• • NOTE: Per the Universal Preschool Quality Service Standards Healthy Development, Family, & Community Standards FAQ:Q. What providers are specifically responsible for regarding developmental screenings?
    • The UPK Preschool Quality Service Standards do not require providers to confirm that every child has actually received a developmental screening. The rules explicitly state that these developmental screening services are voluntary.
    • Instead, beginning July 1, 2026, eligible preschool providers must create, implement, and make publicly available policies and procedures to inform families about how to access these screening services.

📄Curriculum Submissions Update

• The curriculum requirements template is no longer required for submissions to the UPK Resource Bank Submission Form. The template is now an optional resource, as the information from the template is now included in the form.
• Providers who have already submitted the form but did not include the template are being asked by the early learning team to either share a completed template or resubmit the form.
• Providers who have already submitted and included a completed template do not need to resubmit the form.

Universal Preschool Quality Service Standards Guidebook Update

• CDEC added a section titled “What’s Next” that clearly outlines the steps providers should be currently taking in regard to reporting and curriculum. A PDF visual is linked on the bottom of the page
• Universal Preschool Quality Service Standards Guidebook – Google Docs
  • This link should open them up directly into the new page we added.

UPK Messaging sent out by CDEC in June

• All CDEC Memos
• Information Memo: Rate Increase For Colorado Universal Preschool Providers
• Clarification on UPK Provider Rate setting
• UPK Agreement Amendments for Private Providers
• UPK Changes for Governmental Provider contracts