How can I determine if my child is eligible for UPK?

Children who will be four years of age by December 1, 2026 and reside in the Williamsville Central School District are eligible for the 2026-2027 Universal Prekindergarten Program.

Is my child entitled to UPK?

No. While access to UPK programs continue to expand in New York State, UPK is not currently available to all families in all districts. In districts where UPK is available, entry is based on eligibility and a lottery system. Not all families who register for UPK are guaranteed a spot.

*Referenced from NYSED.gov 

Is there a cost for the UPK Program?

No, the UPK program is funded by NYSED.

What do I need to do to participate in the UPK Program?

The process has changed for the 2026-2027 school year and is open now! Information is posted on the UPK page of the Williamsville Central School District's website. 

Parents and guardians interested in having their eligible four-year-old child considered must register their child as a NEW student of the Williamsville Central School District. The online UPK registration link can be found on the Williamsville Central School District's UPK page and is linked HERE.

IMPORTANT: Parents and guardians should carefully read all of the information and eligibility requirements for the UPK lottery which can be found on the Williamsville Central School District's UPK page. 

How long will I be on the waitlist?

The lottery for the 2026-2027 school year is planned to occur in late March. Once all UPK placements for the 2026-2027 school year are filled, all remaining students who did not receive a placement based on the random, digitized lottery will be placed on the waitlist. 

A placement will ONLY become available if an individual who was offered a placement declines their spot. Therefore, it is very unlikely that many spots will become available following the lottery. You will be contacted by the District via email should a spot become available.

Why didn't I get the location I wanted? Can I be moved to that location?

All eligible, registered students are entered into a random, digitized lottery. In any year where there are MORE students eligible and interested in UPK than there are available placements, a random, digitized lottery is held. Whether or not a student receives an open spot is determined by the results of the random, digitized lottery. The location a student is offered is also based on the results of the random, digitized lottery since an order is generated by the random, digitized lottery. For that reason, once ALL LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN OFFERED, STUDENTS CANNOT BE MOVED or SWITCHED.

Is there a waitlist for a specific location (ex: Forest Elementary, Childtime, etc.)?

No. The waitlist is for all UPK locations. If you are placed on the waitlist, you will be offered the next open placement that becomes available at ANY location, should that occur. Once all spots have been filled for the 2026-2027 school year, a student would have to decline their spot for another one to become available, which is unlikely.

How can I find out where my child is on the waitlist?

We are unable to share waitlist information. If a placement opens and becomes available, the next student on the waitlist will be emailed and offered the placement. Please be sure to accept emails from upk@williamsvillek12.org and avoid blocking this email address with spam filters. In the event you receive a placement email, you will have two days (48 hours) from the time the email is sent to reply regarding the placement. If we have not received a response within the required timeframe, the next student on the waitlist will be offered that placement, so please check your email frequently. There will be no exceptions to this timeline.

If I decline my placement in the program and choose to go on the waitlist, will I lose my spot in the program? 

Yes. In that scenario, you have given up your spot, which will now be offered to the next student on the waitlist, and you will be added to the waitlist for a potential opening in ANY location (please see question above about this). In order to be guaranteed a spot in the program, you would need to accept a placement as offered as there are many students waiting for a ANY available placement.

I registered my child for the Williamsville Central School District after the deadline and would like to be added to the waitlist. Is there anything I need to do at this time?

You do not need to do anything further at this time. We have your information and we will add you to the waitlist following the lottery in the order in which your completed registration was received. We will contact you via email if a spot becomes available.

Where can I get information about wrap care?

Please call the location of your placement after the lottery and speak with the director. This information is sent in the placement email.

What are the hours for the UPK Program?

If you are offered a placement in the program for the 2026-2027 school year, the hours are provided in the email you receive. If you have questions about additional child care, please contact the location directly. The phone number for the location is also provided in the email. The District does not have this information.

Another location would be more convenient for my family. Is the district able to switch my location?

No, UPK placements are offered based on the lottery, and therefore cannot be changed. 

Can I switch locations with another family?

No, location switches are not permitted. 

Can I switch times with another family?

No, time switches are not permitted. 

Is the district able to accommodate a change in time for me once the school year has started?

No, we are unable to make any time changes. 

Where should I go for additional information and questions?

• https://www.williamsvillek12.org/departments/instruction/universal-pre-k

• Email upk@williamsvillek12.org