Universal Pre-Kindergarten 2023-2024
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2023-24 Information:
All children who will be four years of age with a birthdate between December 2, 2018 and December 31, 2019 can participate in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Lottery, with the exception of children who participated in the 2022-2023 UPK program. Please complete this form (linked below) if you would like your child to be included in our UPK lottery. We anticipate having full-day and half-day seats available that are funded through a New York State Grant, not district funds.
You must complete one form per child. Please complete the Google Form Application no later than Friday, March 31, 2023. Please complete all sections and remember to click "submit" in order for your lottery application to be received. The district is not responsible for entries not submitted. You will be notified by mail on or after April 10th if your child is selected for our Universal Pre-K program. Registration with the district will occur following the lottery and notification.
*This program is pending receipt of the state grant for the 2023--2024 school year.
The lottery application form is available in the below link. You ONLY have to fill out the UPK lottery form. No other paperwork is necessary at this time. Please complete the form once for each child you are entering into the lottery. Registration with the district will occur following the lottery and notification of selection.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2023-24 UPK Lottery Form
Questions commonly asked:
Does my child qualify for the universal pre-k program?
Your child must be 4 years of age with a birth date between December 2, 2018 and December 31, 2019 and reside in the Northport-East Northport School District to qualify. Per the Office of Early Learning at NYSED, a child who has already attended State-Administered prekindergarten programming for 4-year-old pupils may not attend for a second year and be funded using UPK allocations.
Is there anything I can do to guarantee my child is chosen?
No. The lottery is entirely random and demographics are not a factor in the selection of students.
How many Universal Pre-K seats are available?
The number of available seats in the Universal Pre-K program depends on final state grant funds, which are not determined until after the final state budget has passed (typically late spring). However, during the 2022-23 school, the state significantly increased funding for Universal Pre-k for many school districts. This allowed the district to provide seats for all students who requested one last year; however, this is subject to change during the 2023-24 school year and is not guaranteed. Additionally, funding for half day seats is typically more limited than full-day seats, therefore not all families may receive the schedule of their choice.
What happens if my child is selected?
If your child is selected, parents must agree to send their child 5 days per week. There is no cost to the family, however transportation is not provided. Parents will select a UPK provider from the list of participating schools below.
- Full-day
Humpty Dumpty Day Nursery, Greenlawn (9am-2pm)
Island Kids Early Childhood Center, Northport (9am-2pm)
Kiddie Care Early Learning Center, Commack (9:30am-2:30pm)
The Learning Experience, East Northport (9am-2pm)
The Learning Experience, Northport (9am-2pm)
- Half-day
Kiddie Care Early Learning Center, Commack (AM - 9:30-12; PM - 12:30-3)
Northport Nursery School, Northport (AM - 9-11:30; PM - 12:30-3)
The Learning Experience, Northport (9-11:30am)
If your child is selected, the below Registration Documents are required and will be submitted to the district registrar:
1. Online Application for Enrollment
2. Proof of Residency #1 (Tax bill, mortgage statement, deed, lease)
3. Proof of Residency #2 (Utility bill, paystub, library card)
4. Proof of Birth (Certificate, Baptismal or Passport)
5. Photo ID for parent
6. Home Language Questionnaire
7. Custody Papers or any other legal documents, if applicable*
*All Guardian Information must appear on application, regardless of marital status - unless a legal document states otherwise.
8. Student Health History Form
9. Immunization Record
10. Physical
11. Dental Form (not mandatory)
For further information, you may email the Office of Teaching and Learning: wendy.meyer@northport.k12.ny.us
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Forms