Universal Prekindergarten

UPK Sept 2022
UPK

 

 

The Valley Central School District Prekindergarten Program offers 4-year-old children the opportunity to access an educational environment that is learner-centered and promotes the use of early literacy and emergent reading instruction based on effective, evidence-based practices. In alignment with New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards, the program curricula promote balanced support between the development of early childhood social, emotional, motor and cognitive skills. Transportation is not provided. Families must provide transportation for their child. 

Frequently asked questions about UPK at Valley Central are answered here.

UPK for the 2024-2025 School Year

The 2024-2025 UPK lottery took place at the end of April, but we still have spots available. 
If you would like a 2024-2025 UPK Application emailed to you, please email the following information to UPK@vcsdny.org with the subject:  2024-2025 UPK Application
  • Your first and last name
  • Your child’s first and last name
  • Your child’s date of birth
  • Your home address
  • Your type of residence
    • Homeowner
    • Rent With Lease
    • Rent Without Lease
    • Live With District Resident

Waiting List for UPK (2023-2024 School Year)

All UPK spots for the 2023-2024 school year are currently full. However, if your child currently resides in the district and turned 4 years old on or before December 1, 2023, we strongly encourage you to fill out an application to be placed on the waiting list.  We currently do not have any students on a waiting list so if you apply and a vacancy occurs your child could potentially be placed into the UPK Program within a day or two.

 

Email requests must include:

  • Your first and last name
  • Your child’s first and last name
  • Your child’s date of birth
  • Your type of residence
    • Homeowner
    • Rent With Lease
    • Rent Without Lease
    • Live With District Resident)

Half-Day, Full-Day and Extended-Day Offered

The district offers a half-day 2.5-hour program, a full-day 6-hour program and an expanded-day program that includes before and/or aftercare starting as early as 7:00 AM and ending as late as 6:00 PM.  Our entire UPK Program is delivered through local collaborating agencies (UPK Providers). UPK Providers are chosen based upon review of their proposals. The proposals are measured by the competitive process set forth by the Commissioners’ regulations 151-1.1 – 1.7. 

Half-Day UPK Providers

Full-Day UPK Providers

Extended-Day UPK Providers

UPK is designed to:

  • Promote literacy through the use of evidence-based practices
  • Promote positive emotional, social, and cognitive skills through collaboration between school and parents
  • Provide learner-centered activities to promote children’s growth and development
  • Provide a balance between teacher-initiated and child-initiated learning activities in order to encourage student self-confidence and independence
  • Provide a balance of individual and small group activities for the children
  • Provide activities that support parent participation in their child’s educational plan
  • Design an assessment process that determines the developmental baseline and progress of all children
  • Provide a nutritional snack to all of the children every day
  • Provide support services to children and their families that are necessary to support the child’s transition and participation in the Prekindergarten Program
  • Promote differentiated instruction to meet the learning styles of the children
  • Maximize the integration of preschool children with disabilities
  • Provide equal program access to participating children with limited English proficiency