About the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program:   Back to UPK Home

The Watervliet Universal Pre-Kindergarten program is collaboration between the Watervliet City School District, and Albany County Head Start.

Classrooms: The Watervliet CSD currently operates three full day UPK classrooms. Three classrooms are located at Watervliet Elementary School and employ Head Start teachers. The classrooms are staffed by NYS certified pre-K educators and teacher aides. All three rooms are supervised by the WCSD Universal Pre-Kindergarten Director.

Funding: The UPK program offers free access to a high-quality, full day, early education program for all eligible children. Funding for the UPK program is provided by New York State, enabling 54 children to participate in this excellent program. The curriculum is aligned with NYS standards and our local Kindergarten curriculum. Before and after-care is available on a fee basis through local community agencies that provide the service at each site.

Eligibility: Per regulation, in order for a child to be eligible to attend the UPK program their family must live in the Watervliet City School District. Children must be four years old by December 1st of the year they are enrolled in the program, but may not yet be 5 years old by this date.

Calendar: All three UPK classes follow the Watervliet City School District calendar, including any unplanned school closings or delays.

Enrollment/Registration: Enrollment for the program begins in the spring of the preceding year. A notice announcing registration dates will be sent home from the Elementary School and also be posted on the school website and VLT (the local access channel) in mid-March. There are 54 UPK slots available, 18 in each classroom.

Selection Process: If more than 54 applications are received a lottery will be implemented and every applicant will be assigned a random number. Then 54 children will be selected by lottery. Parents/guardians will be given the opportunity to accept or reject selection. The process will continue until all 54 slots are filled or until the list of applicants is exhausted. A waiting list will be maintained.

If you have any further questions please contact the Director of Universal Pre-Kindergarten at (518)-629-3263.