Applications are now being accepted for Minisink Valley’s 2025-26 Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program.
The 2025-26 UPK program offers a limited amount of spots to qualifying families residing in the school district. Parents of eligible four-year-olds choose one of the participating preschools within the school district:
· Bright Beginnings Preschool, Slate Hill
· Little Learners Preschool, Minisink
· Little Munchkins, Otisville
· New Beginnings Learning Academy, Middletown
· Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middletown
· YMCA First Step Preschool, Middletown
Interested parents/guardians must complete the UPK application and mail it to: District Registrar Diane Super, P.O. Box 217, 2320 Route 6 Slate Hill, N.Y. 10973. All applications must be received via mail by Monday, March 10 at 3 p.m.
2025-26 UPK Parent letter
2025-26 UPK application
Minisink Valley will follow these steps, in compliance with the New York State UPK regulations, regarding the preschool selection process:
A letter and application are sent to parents of all eligible preschool students.
Once the district is notified that funding is approved, a list of eligible four-year-old children is generated from the district’s database. If you think your child may not be in the district’s database, please call the district registrar at 845-355-5812 or email dsuper@minisink.com.
Information regarding the UPK program is communicated to families via mail sent directly to qualifying families.
Interested parents are asked to submit the UPK application to the district by the set deadline with their choice of preschool. Applications received after the deadline will go to the bottom of the waitlist.
The district registrar collects all completed UPK applications. Names are randomly drawn through a lottery. UPK spots are allocated to preschools based on the results.
Parents are notified by letter or phone calls regarding “acceptance/no acceptance” into the UPK program.
Additional names are drawn on the same day to develop a waiting list for the UPK program.
The above steps create a random/equitable selection process and award every child an equal opportunity to enter into the UPK program.
Once parents select their preschool of choice and the lottery is held by the school district, no UPK spots may be moved to another preschool. Parents are encouraged to gather all necessary information and make sure the chosen preschool meets their needs.
The district is a participant in the New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program that is offered annually through a grant. The district's UPK program provides participating preschools with funding for half- day programs for five days a week.
Please direct all questions to Colleen Fitzgerald, UPK Coordinator, at 845-355-5318; or cfitzgerald@minisink.com