Frequently Asked Questions

Students who will reach the age of 4 by December 1, 2025 (with a birthdate between December 2, 2020 and December 1, 2021), and who are residents of Syosset Central School District are eligible to apply.

Yes, there is no cost to families to participate in the program. The program is being funded by a grant from New York State. 

Universal Pre-K is a full day program that runs from 9am to 2pm.

The curriculum will follow NYS Pre-Kindergarten Standards. Emphasis is placed on alignment with the Preschool Foundations for the Common Core, the New York State approved learning benchmarks. Your child will acquire the foundation of reading, mathematics, science and social studies in a setting that nurtures discovery as the basis for learning opportunity. 

​New York State Prekindergarten Foundation for the Common Core (nysed.gov)

All parents and guardians who wish to request a placement for their child in the Pre-K program must enter the lottery selection process. To do so, families must register their child and provide proof of date of birth and residency in the Syosset Central School District, which is required.

Selection for this program will be conducted by a lottery. Only those who register will be entered into the lottery. Those who do not secure a placement will be put on a waiting list, in order of their draw from the lottery. Parents will be notified by email of the results of the lottery.

The program will be based on the Syosset Central School District calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

No, there are only a specific number of placements for the Pre-K program, which is determined by New York State. We do not yet know that number for the 2025-2026 school year.  Placements will be determined by a lottery process. All those not securing a placement through the lottery will be placed on a waiting list.

Parents will be notified by email of the results of the lottery.

The program will be housed at Universal Pre-Kindergarten centers located within the district. The Universal Pre-K centers participating in the program will be announced once finalized. Parents/guardians who have entered the lottery will be given the opportunity to rank the participating Pre-K centers in order of preference once they are announced.

Pre-K students may bring lunch or lunch will be available for purchase.

No, parents are required to provide transportation for their children for the Pre-K program.