In 2021, the enacted state budget included $105 million for Pre-Kindergarten funding, with a focus on low- and medium-wealth school districts for the expansion of Pre-Kindergarten, or for districts that currently do not have a program for four-year-olds. BH-BL is one of the districts that qualified to receive aid to provide early childhood education opportunities for four-year-olds.
BH-BL now partners one preschool provider that operates within district boundaries to provide this program to qualifying 4-year-old district residents. The funds of approximately $5,000 per student, in the form of a grant, are cover the cost of tuition and meals for BH-BL four year olds planning to enroll in one of BH-BL’s three elementary schools in the fall. This means that a child who is age eligible to attend kindergarten in the upcoming school year is not eligible for the UPK program.
The early childhood provider that BH-BL partners with for this program provides an educational experience that is aligned with the New York State Early Learning Guidelines, as well as the district-approved curriculum.
We plan to keep the community informed as we announce district-approved providers, as soon as they are determined, as well as the process for enrolling your child. As indicated above, all qualifying resident district students are eligible to attend this program. Please know, a lottery system may be necessary to select students for this program if more than 19 qualifying 4-year-old students’ families apply.
BH-BL is excited to be able to offer a full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for our future students.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section.
If you are interested in this program, or have questions, please reach out to Lyndsay Wilson or Kate Gurley at 518-399-9141, Ext. 84151 or lwilson@bhbl.org and kgurley@bhbl.org.