WVCSD universal pre-k lottery sign-ups begin on Friday

This is a repost of an article originally published on March 23, 2023…

The district will once again be offering Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) classes for the 2023-24 school year.

This is a special program that is funded by a New York State Education Department (NYSED) grant. It provides an early learning experience for the children of WVCSD residents. For the coming school year, we are able to accommodate up to 132 children at four childcare locations in Warwick.

As required by state regulations, the district will have a lottery to determine who will be awarded the 132 slots. Signups for the UPK lottery will begin on the district website on Friday, May 5, 2023 and continue through Monday, May 22, 2023. Parents of selected students will be notified by June 12, 2023.

Below is an overview of the UPK program. For additional, detailed information — including updates about the registration/application process — visit the district’s Universal Pre-K webpage.

• The 2023-24 program is limited to children who turn 4 years old by December 1, 2023.
• You must be a resident of the District by May 5, 2023, to be eligible for the UPK program.
• Children attend the UPK program 5 days/week, 5 hours/day.
• The UPK program follows the district calendar — 180 days of attendance, September through June.
• Families are responsible for transportation to and from the local daycare agency.
• WVCSD will be using funds allocated by NYSED. There is no cost to parents for the UPK program. However, providers may require a registration fee, which is not covered by the district.
• WVCSD cannot guarantee parents will receive their preferred choice of location.
• There is a 2-step application and registration process to qualify for the 2023-24 UPK program, which will open May 5, 2023 at noon and continue through May 22, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. The District will not select students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Only fully-completed and approved 2-step application/registrations received by 4:00 p.m. on May 22, 2023 will be included in the selection process.
• There is limited availability for the program based on grant funding and program space. This funding allows us to enroll 132 students during the 2023-24 school year. If we receive more than 132 applications, the district will conduct a random lottery on May 25, 2023, at the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center to determine which children will participate. Lottery numbers 133 and greater will establish the UPK Waiting List.
• The UPK office will email ALL applicants by June 12, 2023 to notify parents/guardians if their child was selected or placed on the waiting list. Parents/guardians will be asked to confirm receipt of the email notification. If we do not receive confirmation from you that you received the email notification, we will attempt to reach you by phone. If you do not respond within three (3) business days, your child will be moved to the end of the waiting list.
• We highly recommend that families with multiple children pre-register their children at their first choice of UPK provider for their tuition UPK program, as the selection of one twin, triplet or sibling has no effect on the selection of other siblings during the lottery selection process. Each child in the family is treated as an individual.
• Your child must be up-to-date with vaccination requirements.
• If your child is selected, their UPK provider will require a separate registration.

UPK Provider Locations

Village Childcare, LLC (73 slots)
Two locations: 95 Kings Hwy. & 199 Kings Hwy.

Warwick Day Care Center (23 Slots)
18 Grand St.

The Rhythm & Rhyme Childcare Center (20 slots)
65 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

Mini Me Childcare (St. Stephens) (16 slots)
75 Sanfordville Rd.