What is Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)?

UPK is a free preschool experience made possible through grants from the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

Is UPK free for families?

Yes. There is no cost for those students selected through the lottery selection process as the program is paid for by the grants.

Is UPK mandatory?

UPK is not mandatory. Families are not required to send children to UPK. Districts are also not required to have a UPK program.

Who is eligible to attend?

Starpoint Central School District children who turn four (4) years of age on or before December 1, 2024 are eligible for the program. To apply, you must complete a Universal Prekindergarten Application. Children who are or will turn five are not eligible per New York State regulations.

Where will the UPK Classrooms be located?

Starpoint will utilize the following Community Based Organizations (CBOs): Bunny Bunch DayCare Townline, Bunny Bunch Daycare Niagara Falls Blvd, Small World Too, and Kandyland Kids

How do interested families apply for UPK?

Families interested in UPK will complete an online application during the open enrollment period each school year.

How do I apply?

Please complete the FORM application located on our website.

How will families know if their child has been selected?

Families will be notified by email if their child has been selected for UPK or if they have been placed on a waitlist.

What happens if a child is not selected?

Students who are not selected through the lottery have the option to be placed on a wait list. If any vacancies occur during the year, those vacancies will be filled through the use of the wait list until the wait list has been exhausted.

When will the lottery occur?

The UPK Lottery is held in the spring.

How will the lottery be conducted?

Each child will be randomly assigned a number and numbers will be chosen through a random generator system.

How does the lottery process work for families with multiple eligible children?

Each child will be assigned a unique number for the lottery. This includes children residing in the same household.

If I complete my application right away, does that improve my child’s chances of being selected?

No. All completed, eligible applications will be included in the lottery selection process.

Can families indicate their preference for a Community Based Organization?

On the application, families will rank the CBOs they are interested in.

How long is the program?

The program follows the Starpoint school calendar and runs weekdays for either 2 1⁄2 hours (half- day program and Kandyland Kids) or 5 1⁄2 hours per day(full day program at Bunny Bunch and Small Word). Specific start and end times will be determined by the CBOs.

How big will the class sizes be?

This is dependent on the CBO and the size of the classroom space and teachers and aides available. Larger classroom spaces will accommodate more students. The average class size will be 18 students with one teacher and one aide.

Will meals be provided?

Yes, breakfast and lunch will be provided, free of charge to families.

Is rest time required?

While nap time is not required, a period of quiet time is recommended.

Is transportation provided?

No, families will need to provide transportation as transportation costs are not allotted for in the grant funding provided by NYS.

What if a child has an IEP?

Families will work with the district's Director of Special Programs.

What will be taught?

The district will work with the CBOs to deliver a common and consistent curriculum which addresses the NYS Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards: social/emotional learning, communication, language, literacy, ELA, math, science, social studies, technology etc.

What are the NYS Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards?

The NYS Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards can be found here.

How will food allergies be handled?

Each CBO site has their own policy on food allergies in their classrooms. We encourage families to connect with the CBO to make an individual plan which addresses their child's unique needs.

What other safety precautions are in place to ensure children's safety at their program site?

Each CBO site has strict policies on who enters and exits the building. The CBO will have required paperwork for families which will likely include typical emergency contact information and information on who can pick up the child. Also, each CBO site will be Office of Family and Children Services approved.

Will wrap-around care be offered?

Each CBOs has their own system for wrap-around care. Please contact the CBO for more information on this. Families will need to incur the cost of wrap-around care.