Universal Pre-K

For the 2026-2027 UPK school year, children who reside in the Orchard Park Central School District attendance area with birthdays between December 2, 2021, and December 1, 2022, are eligible to apply for the program. Admission is not based on academic or economic need.  All children are equally eligible to participate.  A child who is age-eligible to attend kindergarten is NOT eligible for the UPK program. If you have elected to keep your child home for an extra year rather than enroll in school when eligible, he/she is not eligible for the UPK program.  Unfortunately, exceptions can not be made.

The Orchard Park Central School District offers the UPK program at its four elementary schools.  In addition, it partners with local preschool providers, known as community-based preschool organizations. For the 2026-2027 school year, the UPK program is being held at the four elementary schools in our district: Eggert Elementary, Ellicott Elementary, South Davis Elementary, and Windom Elementary. In addition, we partner with local preschool providers, BrightPath Childcare and Smarty Pants Childcare.  

The Orchard Park Central School District is committed to partnering with high-quality preschool providers.  Interested preschool providers undergo an extensive application process, outlining curriculum (literacy development, character development, fine & gross motor development, etc), ability to meet the needs of students with disabilities, and opportunities for parental involvement.  A site visitation is conducted, ensuring the facility meets expectations including safety, furniture & equipment, opportunity for outdoor play, and literacy resources. Throughout the school year, site visitations are conducted on an ongoing basis.

There is no cost for the program.  The program is partially paid for through a Universal Pre-Kindergarten grant.  If a family assigned to a preschool site needs before/after after-school childcare, there would be a fee involved.  Fees for this care are determined by each preschool site.  OPCSD has no involvement in before/after school care offered at community preschool sites - fees and availability are at the discretion of each facility.  Bus transportation will be provided this year to students who are four years old.  

Any child who has a birthday between December 2, 2021 and December 1, 2022, is eligible to apply to the UPK program.  Once all registration documents have been submitted and approved, you qualify for the program.  Admission is not based on academic or economic need.  All children are equally eligible to participate. 

In 2026-2027, there is NO before/after school care for UPK students available at any of the Orchard Park School District elementary schools.   Some of the preschool providers may offer wrap-around care at their facilities.  OPCSD has no involvement in each facility's fee schedule or the availability of care.  Fees and availability are determined by each facility.  Wrap-around care may be available at a particular site for an additional fee based on availability.  Registering for the UPK program does not guarantee any wrap-around care.  If your placement site offers before/after school care, you must apply and pay for this service directly through your UPK placement site.  

The following are required for registering for the UPK program. 

       Complete Online Registration Form*

•        Completed Home Language Questionnaire*
•        Proof of residency (two recent, valid forms are necessary)
•        Birth certificate for your child
•        Vaccination records