New York, 25, Nov – When Universal Pre-K (UPK) became a reality in New York City in the late 1990s, it wasn’t because the stars aligned. It was because women like Diane F. Grannum refused to let the system ignore its youngest learners.
Now, Grannum is telling the full story of what it took, who stood in the way, and why the stakes are still sky-high in her memoir: Creating the Universe: Universal Pre-K in the New York City Public School System 1995–2007.
Grannum’s book illustrates how a handful of classrooms evolved into a citywide initiative, how trauma-informed learning impacted the lives of thousands of children, and how one Black woman educator advanced through the ranks to lead over 100 Pre-K programs across four districts.
“I wrote this book because people need to understand how hard this was—and still is,” says Grannum. “Universal Pre-K didn’t happen because of luck. It happened because of leadership, community partnerships, and people who fought every day to prove four-year-olds matter.”
But her book is more than a retrospective; it’s a warning. Nearly 30 years after New York City laid the foundation, national momentum has stalled. Under the current Trump administration, federal investment in early education is practically nonexistent. There’s no national UPK strategy. No large-scale funding. No coordinated plan.
Educators are burning out. Families are piecing together care. And millions of children are still entering kindergarten without the developmental support they need.
Grannum, who spent over three decades in education and administration, isn’t surprised—but she is disappointed. “We did the heavy lifting. We built the model. We showed what’s possible. But without federal support, it’s like building a bridge that stops halfway across the river.”
In "Creating the Universe," she lays out exactly how NYC got it right: using developmental psychology, community-based partnerships, public–private funding, and a laser focus on emotional well-being—not just test scores.
The book arrives as voters and policymakers grapple with rising childcare costs, pandemic learning loss, and widening education gaps. For many readers, it may be the blueprint they didn’t know they needed.
Creating the Universe is available now in paperback and eBook formats across all major platforms.
About Diane F. Grannum
Diane F. Grannum is a seasoned educator and administrator with over 30 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds degrees in liberal arts, special education, supervision and administration, and multiple professional licenses. She has advocated for equitable access to quality education for young children throughout her career.