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Universal Pre-Kindergarten

(UPK) TrainingJune 2014

For students entering pre-k in September 2014

Why Pre-K?

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The Need

1. Economic Impact: our economic future depends on best-trained and educated workforce 10% annual return on early childhood

education

Greater school success

Reduced crime and delinquency

Increased earnings over lifetime

2. Improved Access and Quality: More sites with enhanced instruction ~70% of children lack access to full day

pre-K Opportunity to enhance current program

quality

3. Affects all 5 Boroughs: ~70,000 children, many in high need areas across the City Diverse language needs: 1/5 of children in

NYC kindergarten classes is an English Language Learner

The UPK Vision

High Quality, Full-Day, Free Pre-K in 2 Years

The City is ready to implement UPK and its success will result in:

~70,000 children with access by 2015 (~50,000 by Sept ’14)

High Quality options for families in public schools or CBOs

42% increase in $ amount spent per child (~$10k vs ~$7k)

Increased support for family in high-need areasR

eady

to

Laun

ch

High Quality, Full-Day, Pre-K is among the most effective ways to reduce economic inequality and increase social mobility

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Eligibility:Any child who turns 4 by Dec 31

• For the 2014-2015 school year, this is any child born in 2010

AND resides in New York City (any of the 5 boroughs)

Days and Hours:• 5 days a week for 180 days

• UPK Hours: Between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Half-day programs: 2 hours and 30 minutes

• Full-day programs: 6 hours and 20 minutes

Some programs provide extended day services.

Pre-Kindergarten Features

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Settings:Public Schools

Community-Based Early Childhood Centers (CBECCs) that are

DOHMH-licensed• Head Start/Child Care Programs• Day Care Centers• Group Family Day Care Programs• Private-pay programs and independent schools

Class Size:18 Students : 2 Adults

19 or 20 Students : 3 Adults

Pre-Kindergarten Features (continued)

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Public School Pre-K Programs

• Application period ended April 23

• Admissions is not first come, first served

• Matching letters sent to families in early June

• School-based admissions are June 20

Community-Based Early Childhood Center (CBECC) Pre-K Programs

• Priority application by June 26

• Contact CBECCs directly to apply

• Admission policies vary by CBECC

• DOE providing assistance to families

Families have several high quality options

Public Schools & CBECCs

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UPK 2014 Timeline

May June July Aug Sept OctAprilMarch

Key Milestones

4/23 9/46/9–203/3 5/29 6/26

Start of school year

& vacancy flyer

CBECC data system (PreKIDS) opens

CBECC application priority deadline

Public school pre-registration period

Notification of public school matches

& release of CBECC list (early June)

PEP approval of CBECC list

Public school

application deadline

Pre-K admission opens

We are here

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What Have We Accomplished To Date?

Social Media Campaign

40,000+ Families applied to public school

[Add agency/org. outreach event]

700,000 Robo-calls to families

[Add agency/ org. outreach]

Digital Subway Radio Print

A glance at UPK to date…

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Next Steps: What happens next?

Notice of public school matches sentWas your child matched to a public school?

Pre-register for public schoolPre-register at the school between 6/9 and 6/20

Learn about CBECCsWhat is a CBECC?

Local optionsWhat CBECCs are close to me?

Apply to a CBECCApply & enroll at the CBECCPriority deadline June 26

Not matchedMatched

Did you apply to a public school UPK program?

Did not apply

Applied

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CBECC Push

How to find a CBECC?• Online: nyc.gov/prek

• School Search Map Tool

• Phone: 311

• Text: 877877 – type “prek” or “escuela”

• Paper: Directories with CBECC locations

How to learn more about a CBECC?• Call or visit the site to learn

more

What to consider when choosing a CBECC?

• Program hours and services

• Daily schedule

• Expectations for learning

• Family engagement

How to apply?• CBECC applications are available at

any CBECC site or online at nyc.gov/prek

• Applications may be submitted online, in person at CBECC sites, or by mail:

Pre-KEarly ChildhoodDepartment of Education52 Chambers StreetNew York, NY 10007

Most families will enroll in CBECCs. We can help.

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CBECC Pre-K: After Families Apply

What to Expect After You Submit the CBECC Application…

• The CBECC will let the family know whether space is available for the child.

• Families will be required to complete all CBECC registration documentation to finalize the CBECC enrollment process.

• For more information about CBECC enrollment processes, visit nyc.gov/prek or call 311.

CBECC Quality

CBECC programs are quality alternatives to public school Pre-K

• CBECC teachers are trained in college programs with at least a Bachelor’s Degree and some cases a Master’s degree

• Teachers and staff must be fingerprinted and cleared by NYSED

• Quality is maintained with oversight by principals, directors and other administrators on site

• Dept. of Early Childhood Education provides support from field offices including:

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o Educational Administrators

o Operational Administrators

o Instructional

Coordinators

o Coaches

o Social Workers

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Outreach Efforts this Summer

How [agency] Can Help:• [insert outreach activities]

DOE Facilitated enrollment:• Help families identify nearby CBECCs• Ensure they have the resources to apply and enroll• Follow up with families through enrollment

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Target Neighborhoods• In some neighborhoods, the number of seats will outpace the

number of families applying to fill them (Supply > Demand)

• Outreach efforts (both large events and individual outreach) may have the greatest impact in these target neighborhoods

• The following list of neighborhoods is updated based on our latest enrollment data

Neighborhoods with >500 New Seats Zip Codes

Supply › Demand Neighborhoods Zip Codes

Crotona/Tremont 10453, 10457, 10460 East Harlem 10029, 10035, 10037

Flushing/Clearview 11354, 11355, 11356, 11357, 11358, 11360

Brownsville/Ocean Hill

11212, 11233

Jamaica 11412, 11423, 11432, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11430

Bushwick/ East Williamsburg

11206, 11237

Ridgewood/Forest Hills

11374, 11375, 11378, 11379, 11385

Greenpoint/ Williamsburg

11211, 11222, 11249

Woodside/Elmhurst/ Corona

11368, 11373, 11377 East Flatbush/ Ditmas Park

11203, 11226

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Thank You!

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Appendix

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Public School UPK: Pre-Registration

To pre-register, a family must bring the pre-k eligible child to the school. They must also bring:

• Your child

• Your offer letter

• Proof of Child’s age (birth certificate or passport)

• Immunization records

• Proof of residence (two documents)

• List of acceptable documents can be found on page 6 of the Pre-Kindergarten Directory.

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Choosing a CBECC: Questions to Consider

Program Hours and Services

Where is the program located and is it easily accessible? What are the pre-k program hours? Are there other services offered outside of the pre-kindergarten hours? What are the eligibility requirements for those other services? Are tours available to see the program facility?

Daily Schedule

What does a typical day look like for the children? Does the schedule include a balance of choice time, small group teacher-

directed time and whole class activities? Is there time set aside for physical activity? Is there indoor or outdoor

space for physical activity?

Expectations for Learning

When children leave, what does the program expect them to know and be able to do?

How do teachers know how children are doing throughout the year? What assessments are used to track children’s progress?

How does the program share children’s progress with families?

Family Engagement

Is the staff warm and welcoming? What opportunities are there for families to participate in the program?

Are there leadership opportunities? Volunteer opportunities? How does the program extend learning to/from the home? What support

will be provided to extend? What other supports does the program provide to families?

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Students with Disabilities

• Families interested in a pre-k program for the 2014-15 school year should participate in the standard pre-k admissions process.

• Some families may need to work with their local Committee on Special Education (CSE) or Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to identify an appropriate placement.

• To learn more about submitting an application for students who require special services, please visit www.nyc.gov.schools/prek.