Families in Bountiful, Woods Cross, North Salt Lake and Farmington with children heading to kindergarten in fall 2027 can sign up for an online learning program offered at no cost to qualifying households through Davis School District.

The district has partnered with Waterford Upstart, an early education program based in Utah, to give pre-K children access to daily lessons in reading, math and science. The partnership is open to families across the district's boundaries, according to a district announcement posted on the Davis School District website.

Waterford Upstart delivers short, interactive sessions that adjust to each child's skill level. The program recommends 15 minutes a day on reading and 15 minutes on math and science, five days a week. That 30-minute daily total falls within the American Academy of Pediatrics' screen time guidelines for children older than 2, according to the Waterford Upstart website.

Qualifying families pay nothing. Eligible households can also receive a computer and internet access to remove technology barriers. The program provides coaching from educators and a library of digital books and resources available in both English and Spanish.

The curriculum covers phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, basic math operations, geometry and introductory science. Waterford says the program has earned an endorsement from the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) as effective for students with disabilities. The program adapts to what each child already knows, spending more time on skills that need the most work.

Program availability and eligibility are set by Waterford's funding partners. Families can fill out a form on the Waterford Upstart website or visit the district's announcement page to learn whether they qualify.

TJ Strain, the district's Teaching and Learning Department director, presented an early learning plan to the Davis County Board of Education at its July 21 meeting in Farmington. Superintendent Dr. Dan Linford leads the district.

The district posted the partnership on its X account Oct. 15, directing families to apply online.