What is Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)?
UPK is a state and federally-funded prekindergarten program offered to families free of charge. UPK provides interested families with a developmentally appropriate program that aligns with the New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards to help four-year-olds prepare for kindergarten. The school district is partnering with two community-based organizations, TSL Adventures and Childtime Learning Center, to provide UPK programming in 2025-26 for up to 92 students. This number is not guaranteed. The final number of spots will be determined by the number of applicants and the number of classrooms that our partners can provide.
Where are TSL Adventures and Childtime Learning Center located?
Both providers are located in Delmar. TSL Adventures is located at 349 Delaware Ave. Childtime Learning Center is located at 180 Delaware Ave.
Will UPK be available for all families in the Bethlehem Central School District?
Not currently. The district expects to serve up to 92 students in UPK in the 2025-26 school year. In most school districts where UPK is available, including Bethlehem, entry is based on eligibility and a lottery system and not all families who register are guaranteed a spot.
Who is eligible for UPK?
The only eligibility requirement for UPK is a child’s residency and age. An “eligible child” is a child who is a resident of the school district and who is four years old on or before December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolled. For 2025-26, a student must have been born between Dec. 2, 2020 and Dec. 1, 2021 to be eligible for the UPK lottery.
If there are a limited number of spots for UPK, how does the school district decide who gets in?
The seats in the UPK program will be filled through a lottery process. Selection will be random. Only eligible students who are residents of the district will be included in the lottery. Completed applications for eligible residents must be received by 3 p.m. on May 23, 2025 for a child to be included in the lottery. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Not all families who register for UPK are guaranteed a spot
When will the 2025-26 lottery be held?
The UPK lottery in the Bethlehem Central School District will be held on Friday, May 30. Only completed applications that are received between May 1 and May 23 at 3 p.m. will be accepted.
If my child is selected as part of the lottery, can I choose the location where my child is enrolled?
No. Assignment to a program will be random. Since there are two locations for 2025-26, there will be a separate random drawing to determine which program is filled first. That drawing will take place at the start of the lottery process. The first students selected will be assigned to the first location until that location is filled.
What about multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)?
For families with one or more eligible siblings for UPK, each child is treated as an individual entrant into the lottery. If one sibling is selected in the lottery, but another is not, a family could enroll on one student. If both, or all, siblings are selected as part of the lottery, the siblings would be placed at the same location.
When is the deadline to apply for the UPK lottery?
The deadline to apply for UPK is Friday, May 23 at 3 p.m. All applications must be completed and submitted in Aspen by that time. A completed application includes all required forms and documents. The application window in Aspen will OPEN on Thursday, May 1.
When and how will families be notified of the results of the lottery?
Families will be notified of the results of the lottery drawing by email and regular mail the week of June 2, 2025. If notified of selection, families will have until June 18, 2025 to accept their UPK spot by emailing registration@bethlehemschools.org.
What if my child does not get a seat? Is there a waitlist?
The district will maintain a waitlist. As seats open up, families will be notified by email and/or phone call.
What is the schedule for UPK?
The New York State Education Department requires that a UPK program for four-year-olds be five hours. The UPK program operated by TSL will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will follow the same school-year calendar as the Bethlehem Central School District (approx. 180 days).
Will transportation be provided to and from UPK?
Transportation is not provided. Parents must transport their child to and from the UPK program.
Will there be wrap-around care for UPK students?
Both TSL and Childtime offer wrap-around care for a fee. UPK is a five-hour program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Does my child have to attend the program five days a week?
Yes. This is a full-day, five days per week program. Attendance will be monitored and enforced.
If my child receives preschool special education services are they eligible for UPK?
Yes. If your child receives special education services they are eligible for UPK. Students who attend a special education preschool program due to their individual needs should consult with their preschool provider when considering making a change. UPK does not provide a special class self-contained option, nor does it provide a special education teacher on site. Students who receive related services will need to coordinate services with their providers.
If I decide I do not want to register my child for UPK because they are not ready, can I enroll them in UPK the following year?
No. According to Section 3602-e of Education Law, a child is eligible for UPK when they are four years of age on or before December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolled or will otherwise be first eligible to enter public school kindergarten the following school year. Therefore, a child would only be eligible for UPK for one year.
If I don’t think my child is ready for kindergarten, can I hold them back in UPK
No. According to Section 3602-e of Education Law, a child is eligible for UPK when they are four years of age on or before December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolled or who will otherwise be first eligible to enter public school kindergarten commencing with the following school year. Therefore, a
child would only be eligible for UPK for one year. However, families can choose to send their child to a private prekindergarten program after attending UPK or deliver home instruction. Per Education Law §3205, the compulsory education age in New York State is 6 years of age by December 1st . If a child turns 6 on or after December 1st compulsory education begins the following September. Please note that NYS Education Law §1709(3) authorizes a school board to determine the placement of each student upon their entry (or reentry) to public school.