The NYS Universal Prekindergarten Program (UPK) is a State-funded program that provides educationally-based high-quality prekindergarten to four year old children.  Since 1998, this program has played an important role in assisting districts and students in meeting higher educational standards.  It has created an earlier entry point to education, assisted in the coordination between a wide variety of early childhood settings and public education and makes progress toward closing the achievement gaps at earlier grade levels.  It has helped young children be better prepared to learn.

School districts which are eligible to receive funding and participate in UPK can offer the program at school sites and in eligible agencies which have an early childhood program component, such as child care, Head Start, nursery schools, and non-public schools.  UPK classrooms, regardless of the setting, provide purposeful, child-centered activities and age-appropriate instruction to ensure children’s active learning.

The UPK Program is researched based with the goal of ensuring that children receive an excellent educational beginning.  Language and communication skills, creative and critical thinking skills, as well as the healthy development of large and fine motor skills, and optimal social-emotional development are integral components to a high quality program.