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The Universal Pre-K (UPK) program is a voluntary High Quality Educational Program for 4 year old children in Florida. Every four-year old child in Florida shall be provided by the State a high quality pre-kindergarten learning opportunity in the form of an early childhood development and education program which shall be voluntary, high quality, free, and delivered according to professionally accepted standards. An early childhood development and education program means an organized program designed to address and enhance each child's ability to make age appropriate progress in an appropriate range of settings in the development of language and cognitive capabilities and emotional, social, regulatory and moral capacities through education in basic skills. Below is a quick “overview” of the program:
At Lake Asbury Learning Center we want to enrich your child's life with the skills he or she needs to meet the demands of Kindergarten. We have trained teachers waiting to help your child's learning experiences begin!
- This program allows us to help children adjust to the demands of school.
- Children need to have more than the basic abilities and knowledge in language and math. They must have a broader underlying cognitive, social and emotional skills and the capacity to continue learning. They must learn to interact positively with others, pay attention, follow a teacher's directions, remember lessons they have been taught and practice what they have learned independently. School readiness also depends on their physical health. Children with poor eyesight, hearing or undiagnosed learning disabilities will have a difficult time in school. At this early age teachers can begin to recognize these problems and help parents address them.
- This program affords parents of eligible children a choice among three program options:
- A 540 Instructional-hour school year Pre-K program delivered by a private pre-kindergarten provider that has a director with a pre-kindergarten director credential, that has classes of at least 4 and not more than 18 students and that has at least one instructor for each class that holds at least a Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent state-approved credential and who completes 5-clock- hour courses in emergent literacy training.
- A 300 instructional hour summer Pre-K program delivered by a public or private pre-kindergarten provider that has classes of at least 4 and not more than 10 students and that has one Florida Certified teacher or instructor who holds a bachelor's or higher degree in specified early learning degree programs; or
- If offered in a school district that meets class-size reduction requirements, a 540 instructional-hour school year Pre-K program delivered by a public school that has classes of at least 4 and not more than 18 students and that has at least one instructor who holds at least a CDA or equivalent state-approved credential and who completes a 5-clock-hour course in emergent literacy training.
- This program teaches children the skills they need to learn to read, do math, and make progress in science and other areas.
- Research demonstrates that a high-quality pre-kindergarten program can substantially increase a child's chance of succeeding in school and in life. They are less likely to be held back a grade and less involved in crime and delinquency.
- Research shows that high-quality early education programs produce more advance language, math skills and social skills. Studies indicate that key components of a quality program include
- Positive interactions between teachers and children
- Good communication - teachers and children listening to one another and teachers encouraging children to use reasoning and problem solving
- Daily opportunities for language and reasoning, science math, block play, dramatic play, art and music.
- Teachers and staff who are well educated.
- Active parent involvement.
- Low child-staff ratios and small group sizes
- Well-equipped facilities suited to the needs of preschool-age children.
- Sufficient toys, books and materials.
- Fun activities are a very important way for children to learn. Play-time allows children to develop good behavior and social-emotional skills. This also provides meaningful context to practice academic skills.
- State-financed pre-K programs supplement the educational opportunities parents and families provide to preschoolers. Pre-K provides additional educational opportunities in a group-learning environment. Pre-K gives families more options for educating their preschoolers but cannot substitute for the important roles parents and families play in a child's life. By talking with their preschooler parents help develop their language skills. Parents can also enhance their child's literacy skills by reading to them.
At Lake Asbury Learning Center we want to enrich your child's life with the skills he or she needs to meet the demands of Kindergarten. We have trained teachers waiting to help your child's learning experiences begin!
