• Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (UPK)

    In May 2022, Herricks received additional, targeted New York State funding to expand the Herricks Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program. The Herricks UPK program, which is entirely funded by a grant from New York State, was able to increase its capacity from 115 students to 140. Continuation of the program each year is fully dependent on funding from New York State.
    Who is Eligible?Students who will reach the age of 4 by December 1 of the year of enrollment in the program, and who are residents of Herricks School District, are eligible to apply.Application Process:Applications are available, beginning in February, on the district website, at the registrar’s office in the Community Center, and in the main offices of all elementary schools.  Families who have registered children of an eligible age in the Herricks census should also receive notification by mail.  Census registration can be done at the Registrar’s Office in the Community Center Main Office, Room 2.Selection Process:Selection for this program, which will be capped at 140 full day students based on state funding, is done by a lottery each spring.  Random selection is required by NYS.  Once the first 140 names have been selected, each subsequent name pulled is put on a waiting list, in order of their draw from the lottery.  Parents are notified by email and/or mail of the results of the lottery.The Program:The Herricks UPK Program is run by Harbor Child Care, located on the main floor of the Community Center.  Once the names have been selected from the lottery by a committee consisting of the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, a representative from the Business Office, and a Herricks resident, Harbor Child Care receives the list and begins to schedule students.  Notification of schedule and orientation will come directly from Harbor Day. Breakfast, lunch and snack will be provided. Transportation is not provided.  Questions concerning the educational philosophy of the program and details of the program itself should be directed to Smita Daniel, Center Director for Harbor Child Care, at 516-248-7048.  The program meets all of the instructional requirements of the NYS UPK Grant.Universal Pre-Kindergarten Application:You may apply for the UPK program by completing the UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN (UPK) APPLICATION online                          ORYou may apply by printing the UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN (UPK) APPLICATION PDF and submitting it by mail with your documents.

    • Please note that submitting the application (whether online or by mail) does not guarantee a place in the program.
    • You must submit proofs of residency and copy of birth certificate to be eligible for this program.
    • Selection is done by lottery.
    • Those selected will be notified by mail.