Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
Universal Pre-K Application
Parents may register online for UPK. No guarantee of spot until residency is confirmed and UPK lottery has been completed.
Online Registration Guides
For information on Campus Online Registration, please use the buttons below.
Online Registration Instructional Video
*Please note: Some aspects of the video may not apply to our online registration system.
Universal Pre-K FAQs
The Herricks Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program is a full day program that is entirely funded by a grant from New York State. Continuation of the program each year is fully dependent on state funding.
Who is Eligible?
Students who will be four (4) years old on or before December 1 of the enrollment year, and who are residents of Herricks School District, are eligible to apply.
Application Process:
All families interested in UPK must register through the District’s Online Registration portal to be considered for the lottery. Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) registration opens online on the district website in mid-December. Online registration, including the upload of all mandatory documentation and proofs of residency and date of birth, must be completed by the posted deadline. Registration does not guarantee placement into the program. Incomplete registrations will not be considered. Registration questions may be directed to the Herricks Curriculum Office at 516-305-8933 or the Herricks Registrar at 516-305-8987.
Selection Process:
Random selection is required by New York State. The number of available seats is limited by space at the facility and/or state funding. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available seats, selection will be by lottery.
The lottery is conducted soon after the registration deadline by a committee consisting of the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, a representative from the Business Office, and a Herricks resident. After all names have been selected for placement through the lottery, a waiting list is established from the remaining names in the order of their draw.
*Please note that twins or other multiples in a family are treated as a single entry. If selected in the lottery draw, twins or multiples will be admitted together.
Families of selected and waitlisted students will be notified by email. Waitlisted children will be offered seats in the order of the draw as space becomes available.
The Program:
The Herricks UPK Program is operated by Harbor Child Care, located on the main floor of the Community Center. After the lottery selections are finalized and families notified of their status, Harbor Child Care receives the list. Harbor Child Care will contact families directly to schedule students, assign teachers and provide orientation details. *Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided. Transportation is not provided.
Questions about teacher assignments, schedules, curriculum, or educational philosophy should be directed to the Center Director for Harbor Child Care, at 516-248-7048.
Questions about registration should be directed to the Herricks Curriculum Office at 516-305-8933 or the Herricks Registrar at 516-305-8987.
The program meets all instructional requirements outlined in the New York State UPK Grant.