Niskayuna CSD to offer Universal Pre-K in partnership with two local community partners
The Niskayuna Central School District is offering Universal Pre-K (UPK) for the 2025-26 school year as part of funding from New York state. UPK is a free program open to Niskayuna families with children who will be four years old by Dec. 1, 2025 (children who have birth dates between Dec. 2, 2020 and Dec. 1, 2021).
What is the Universal Pre-K Program?
The New York State Universal Prekindergarten Program (UPK) is funded by NYS and our district to provide an educationally based, high quality, developmentally appropriate program to prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten. The UPK Program will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will follow the Niskayuna Central School District calendar, with a few exceptions.
For the 2025-26 school year, the district will be partnering with the Schenectady Jewish Community Center (2565 Balltown Road) and TSL Adventures (1050 Troy-Schenectady Road) to offer 40 slots between these two different locations.
Who is Eligible for Pre-K?
All Niskayuna families, even those currently enrolled with the Schenectady JCC or TSL Adventures programs, are eligible to participate in the lottery for NYS-funded spaces. Limited spots are available for the UPK program and they will be filled using a randomized lottery process.
2025-26 UPK Lottery Application and Registration Information
Niskayuna schools provide a variety of programs and resources to help preschoolers discover the joy of learning at an early age.
Preschool Timeline
See a list of programs available to your child from birth to age 5
Preschool Story Hours
All Niskayuna elementary schools offer free preschool story hour programs during the school year for children entering kindergarten next fall. Programs are held at the elementary school buildings and include a variety of stories and activities. Contact your elementary school’s main office for more for specific dates and times.
1,000 Book Club
The 1,000 Book Program is open to all district preschoolers, but is geared toward 4-year-olds. The program allows families to borrow a bag with 10 fun, age-appropriate books to read to their preschoolers. Once finished, families return the bag to school and may borrow another bag of books. Bags may be picked up and dropped off before, during of after school.
The goals of the program are to:
- Provide quality literature readily available for preschoolers and their families so that each child will have heard 1,000 stories before he/she comes to school.
- Help children develop a lifetime bond with reading and books.
- Provide incentives for families to reach with their children.
- Foster a positive connection between home and school.
For more information, contact your child’s future elementary school.
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
The district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is responsible for ensuring that parents are aware of the opportunities available for evaluation of children 3-5 years old who are suspected of having a disability, and for services to preschool children with disabilities. The committee consists of representatives from preschool special education agencies, county administrators, parents and district staff. All recommendations for services are made to the Board of Education. If you have concerns about your child’s development, or would like more information, call Brianna Meikle at 518-382-2525 x 50771 or e-mail bmeikle@niskyschools.org.