Universal Pre-K - Guilderland Central Schools

Universal Pre-K program registration opens March 9

The Guilderland Central School District is offering Universal Pre-K (UPK) for the 2026-27 school year. UPK is a state-funded program open to Guilderland families with children who will be four years old by Dec. 1, 2026 (children who have birth dates between Dec. 2, 2021 and Dec. 1, 2022). Participation is optional and free for Guilderland families with eligible children.

Limited spots are available for the UPK program. All Guilderland families, even those currently enrolled in one of our approved programs, must apply during the registration period and participate in the lottery to secure a NYS-funded space. Current enrollment with one of our community partners does not guarantee a NYS-funded UPK spot; if awarded a spot, it may not be with the current childcare provider.

How to apply for the UPK program

Submit one online UPK registration application for each child. (NOTE – application links will be live during the registration period noted below. When registering, select ‘Universal Pre-K Lottery Registration’ in the school dropdown under Student Information.) The required supporting documents will be requested via email after the online registration submission is received. Supporting documents include:
- - A copy of a residential lease/deed/mortgage statement with a current utility bill.
  - A copy of your child’s birth certificate (used to verify your child is age-eligible for the program).
  - Required supporting documents can be submitted by email to ricez@guilderlandschools.net or by fax to (518) 456-1152. Please mark faxes as “Attention Registrar.” You may also submit documents at the GCSD District Office, 8 School Road, Guilderland Center. The District Office is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- All applications must be submitted between March 9 and March 27, 2026. Please submit a new application and supporting documents even if you have sent in registration materials before March 9, 2026 as our application process has changed.

UPK program selection

Families selected through the lottery system will be notified by April 20, 2026. If notified of selection, families will have until May 1, 2026 to accept their UPK spot by emailing upk@guilderlandschools.net.

All questions about the UPK program should be sent via email to upk@guilderlandschools.net. Please do not contact the partner schools directly.

More information about the UPK program

School Information and Locations

UPK sites will be shared here once details are finalized with our contracted community partners (CBOs). AFTER the registration window closes, families will receive a Google form to indicate their placement preferences. Please note that while we make every effort to honor preferences, we may not always be able to accommodate them.

Program Hours

The UPK program hours covered by GCSD are 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

School Instruction

The UPK program is open to families of all faith denominations. Religious instruction, if applicable, will take place after the 8 a.m.-1 p.m. program hours funded by GCSD.

Wraparound Care and Aftercare

Wraparound care and aftercare are available to families before and after the district‑funded UPK program hours of 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Families who choose to use wraparound and/or aftercare services will be financially responsible for these additional options. The cost of these services is determined by the school where the child is enrolled, and enrollment and payment arrangements can be made directly with that school.

Transportation

Transportation is not available. Families are responsible for transportation to and from the UPK program.

Future UPK Funding

Please note that this funding is allocated on a year‑to‑year basis. As long as New York state continues to support the UPK program, Guilderland will be able to offer a UPK opportunity to four‑year‑old students and their families, aligned with the level of state funding approved each year.

Request for Proposals

Guilderland Central School District is seeking additional community partners for our 2026-2027 full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program. Our UPK Program is supported through our annual UPK allocation from the New York State Education Department. We are currently looking for eligible Community Based Organizations (CBOs) willing to work cooperatively with us to offer additional UPK seats for our families with 4-year-old children.

If you are interested in partnering with us, please see the enclosed Request for Proposals. Please note the deadline for returning proposals was Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Additional information regarding state-administered UPK programs can be found on the New York State Department of Education’s Early Learning Website.

Please contact Rachel Anderson or Rachel teRiele in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction with questions specific to the Request for Proposal process.

Sincerely,

Rachel S. Anderson
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction