YMCA Free Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program
History and Overview
The
New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten program was established in
1997 with the aim of providing free pre-kindergarten educational
experience to all 4 year olds in NYS. The State allocates funds to
each school district to establish their own program or to outsource
the effort to eligible community organizations such as the YMCA
child care program. Within Rockland County, the Clarkstown,
East Ramapo, Nanuet, Nyack, Pear River, Ramapo Central, South
Orangetown and North Rockland school districts participate in the
program. The Rockland County YMCA operates three Universal
Pre-K programs located in Haverstraw, Sloatsburg (more
detail) and Suffern (more
detail). Each class is conducted by a qualified
teacher and assistant and includes art, music, science, movement,
language and outdoor play. The Haverstraw program takes place
Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 11:30 A.M. at Y's Beginnings,
First Presbyterian Church, 89 Hudson Ave. Haverstraw, NY.
Who Qualifies?
All 4 year old children born between December 1, 2004 and December 1, 2005 and who live in one of the school districts named above are eligible for the program. Children must be able to attend class Monday through Friday, 2.5 hours per day for 180 days per year and provide their own transportation. There are no income qualifications.
How Much Does it Cost and How Do I Apply?
The program is free to those who qualify. However, the number of state-funded spaces is far less than the demand. This has necessitated a lottery system to equitably place students. The lottery is administered by Child Care Resources of Rockland County (CCRC). Children are automatically entered in the lottery upon submission of a properly completed application to CCRC. As part of the application process you can specify your choice of the Y program in Haverstraw, Sloatsburg or Suffern. Most spaces are already filled for 2009, but you still apply as vacancies develop throughout the year. Click here for an application form in English. Application forms in Spanish and French are available on the Child Care Resources of Rockland County website. For more information about the YMCA Universal Pre-K program, parents can call Mena Kanasky at (845) 357-4404. For general information about Universal Pre-K call Jenine Valentino of CCRC at (845) 425-0009 Ext. 460.