The Elmira City School District offers three types of Pre-Kindergarten: a full day district Pre-K program, a full day community partner Pre-K program, and a half day community partner Pre-K program.
What is the Elmira City School District Pre-K program?
The district sponsors a Pre-K program for children who are four years old by Dec. 1. The program is offered five days a week, Monday through Friday, when school is in session. The sessions are run according to the school calendar. Children are assigned to classrooms in their home school or to community partner agencies, as requested by families.
- How old does my child have to be to attend the program?
Your child must by four years old on or before December 1. Children who will be five on or before Dec. 1 are considered to be of school age and are not eligible to attend Pre-K.
- What child care options are available for after-school care?
The district works with our community partners to provide before- and after-school child care. The YWCA of Elmira and the Twin Tiers provides child care through their Kids World program.
For more information, call the YWCA Kids World Department at 733-5575.
- Do I have to meet income guidelines to send my child to Pre-K?
No. There are no income guidelines for Pre-K, although there are for Head Start.
- How much do I pay for the Pre-K program?
There is no fee for participation in the Universal Pre-K program.
- What will my child do during the time he or she is at the program?
Each day will be filled with many opportunities for your child to learn and play: creative activities, literacy development, motor development, sensory perception, literature enjoyment, mathematical understanding, science, social studies, health, personal development and field trips.
- Does the school provide transportation?
Busing may be provided for those children age four who live more than one mile from the assigned Pre-K site, and that are on a school bus route. Otherwise, parents are responsible for transportation to and from school. Parents also will be responsible for transportation if they choose a Pre-K site other than their residential district.
- What is the Pre-K schedule? When is it open?
The program follows the Elmira City School District calendar.
UPK Community Partners
Chemung County YWCA
The YWCA operates a UPK program for 4-year-old children at its 211 Lake Street, Elmira location. Call 733-5575 for more information.
EOP Inc., Child Development Head Start
EOP operates a UPK classroom at Adon Allen Head Start. The UPK program is a morning program that is followed by a Head Start program in the afternoon. Hours of the program are 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Happy House Nursery, LLC
Happy House has been a district partner for many years. Located at 1054 W. Clinton Street, it provides a full-day UPK program for 18 children. The program operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Happy House also offers tuition-based preschool programs in the same facility.
For more information, call 735-3040.