This summer, help your child build reading, math, and science skills, grow their confidence, and get ready for kindergarten or first grade. Eligible rising kindergartners and first graders in Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas can join Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Program at no cost to qualifying families.
Apply by April 25, 2027, to secure your child’s spot.
Meet Crystal and her daughter Raven, a lively dancer who loves learning through play! To give Raven a strong start in school, Crystal enrolled her in Waterford Upstart. In just minutes a day, Raven is building skills and growing her love for learning.
Watch their story and see how Waterford Upstart helps kids start school with confidence and joy!
Waterford Upstart makes learning fun and personalized at home. Interactive songs, stories, games, and activities adapt to your child’s skill level, keeping them engaged and learning at a pace that’s right for them.
You’ll receive our full support, including coaching, a library of resources in English and Spanish, and translation services.
Built by education experts and backed by more than 70 studies, Waterford Upstart combines proven learning with the fun and flexibility families need at home.
Fun lessons for kids in reading, math, and science—with characters, stories, and songs.
Tailored learning that adjusts to each child’s skills and needs.
Support from skilled educators who can help families accomplish their learning goals.
Children develop learning routines and positive mindset skills.
of children started
kindergarten a full year ahead
children served by Waterford each year
of families recommend
Waterford Upstart
years of early learning proven outcomes
Your child learns at home for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over 10 weeks.
They’ll be assigned to either reading or math and science, with activities that adjust to their skill level as they go.
You can follow their progress, celebrate what they’re learning, and get support along the way.
Thanks to funding from an Education Innovation & Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, qualifying families can participate in the Summer Learning Program at no cost.
Complete the family registration form to see if your child qualifies for the Summer Learning Program.
Enrolled families are required to attend a live, virtual orientation (in person option in some states) to learn more about the program and prepare to get started.
Your child will complete a required, skills check before beginning the program.
Once onboarding is complete, families will receive the information and support they need to prepare for the program.
The 10-week Summer Learning Program runs May 4–August 29, 2027. Participating children will be randomly assigned to either Waterford Reading or Waterford Math & Science.
Give your child the chance to build skills, grow confidence, and feel ready for kindergarten or first grade.
Enrollment ends April 25. Apply now to see if your child qualifies and secure their spot for Summer 2027.
After you fill out the form, you’ll access information on available programs in your area, and whether your child qualifies for the program. If there’s not a program you qualify for in your state, you may access Waterford’s library of digital books and resources in English and Spanish.
Waterford Upstart costs nothing for families who qualify. Our funding partners cover program costs for a state or region and set eligibility requirements for that location.
Waterford Upstart has a reading section and a math and science section. The reading lessons teach your child the six important skills that are part of learning to read, including: phonological awareness, phonics, reading fluency, reading comprehension and vocabulary, language concepts, and communication.
If your child uses the math and science curriculum, they will learn basic math and science skills to prepare them for school. These include numbers and operations, algebraic thinking, measurement and data, geometry, and science.
Your child will also develop mindset skills to foster a positive attitude, growth mindset, self-regulation, and empathy for others.
You can view the skills taught in the program here. Waterford Upstart is also fully aligned with the education standards of all U.S. states and Washington, D.C. To learn more, click here.
Waterford Upstart is a personalized program that adjusts to what your child knows. Your child will spend more time on the skills they need most to prepare them for Kindergarten or 1st Grade
In the beginning, your child will need some help learning how to use the program independently. You’ll be amazed how quickly they can use it by themselves.
When using the program, let your child answer the questions on their own. That way, the Waterford Upstart software can assign lessons personalized to what your child is ready to learn.
If your child is stuck during an activity, suggest that they pick their best guess or favorite answer. Do not give them the correct answer or any hints.
Waterford provides families with resources and access to skilled educators who can coach families as they accomplish their learning goals. Your coach can help you create a routine, use resources available in the program, and offer tips for guiding your child to do their best.
To check your child’s progress and daily usage, go to upstart.waterford.org and check the Dashboard tab. The Resources & Activities tab has digital books and activities in English and Spanish that you can do with your child.
Your child will need a computer with a mouse or laptop trackpad to use the program. You can communicate with us and track your child’s progress on a phone or tablet. If you do not have access to a compatible device, you can let us know in your application. Waterford may be able to provide a computer based on eligibility and availability.
Most computers are compatible. Check compatibility.
Yes. Waterford Upstart is an adaptive curriculum, which means it responds to each child’s learning needs as they use the program. Waterford has earned the endorsement of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) as a program that is effective for special education.
Research shows that the quality of screen time is more important than the quantity of minutes spent using a screen. Interactive content that moves slowly and helps young children learn new information is far more valuable than fast-moving content that children passively watch. Please check out our YouTube channel for examples of some activities in the program.
We recommend 15 minutes per day for the reading section, and 15 minutes for the math and science section, five days a week. This is within the American Academy of Pediatrics’ screen time recommendations for children older than 2 years, which is 60 minutes a day or less of high-quality programming.
To expand access, the Waterford team is open to joint funding efforts to add, expand, and sustain access to this evidence-based program. Contact support@waterford.org or call 888-892-9898 to learn more.
