Information for Early Childhood Programs Interested in Becoming UPK Providers

In February 2024, an application process will be initiated for center-based and independent schools programs operating classrooms within the City of Boston. Once this process starts, detailed information and the application itself will be available on the City of Boston Vendor portal.

You can learn about the UPK model through the UPK Model Overview or these slides

Pathway for Adherence to Quality Pre-K Program

Boston Universal Pre-K created this roadmap for established early childhood providers in the City of Boston. This resource is designed to assist in aligning your program with the high-quality standards of Boston UPK. It is essential to note that achieving these milestones does not grant UPK provider status but properly aligns your program with the established UPK Quality Standards.

Gain EEC Accreditation

All Early Childhood Care programs in Massachusetts are required to have an active license in good standing with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Please refer to the Child Care Program Licensing website for additional guidance about licensing and accreditation.

Ensure All Your Teacher’s Have a Bachelor’s Degree

Learn how you can get an Early Educator degree for free through the City of Boston.

Implement the Focus Curriculum

The Focus Curriculum is a nationally acclaimed model of early learning, developed by the BPS Early Childhood Department in collaboration with researchers, teachers, and experts in child development. You can access the full curriculum to implement at your program.

Work Toward NAEYC Accreditation

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation helps teachers and other staff at early learning programs develop a shared understanding and commitment to quality. Visit the NAEYC website to learn more about their accreditation process.

Build a Strong Family Engagement Program

A Family Engagement program should include concrete strategies to engage families before and post- enrollment and support transitions; measure outcomes of family engagement and respond to family needs; and establish/sustain community partnerships with family engagement and comprehensive service providers. You can learn about Family Engagement best practices from the following resources:

NAEYC’s Principles of Effective Family Engagement
NAEYC description of culturally responsive family engagement strategies
Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
UPK Family Engagement & Comprehensive Services (FECS) plan

Get Familiar with Child Find in the City of Boston

Child Find Screening is an evaluation for children 3-5 years old who live in Boston, conducted by the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Office of Specialized Services. You can learn more about it on the Child Find webpage.

Learn About the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)

The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a tool used to conduct developmental screening for children. You can learn more about ASQ on their website.

We also encourage you to visit the Office of Early Childhood website for additional resources and early childcare support provided by the City of Boston.