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Why Universal Pre-Kindergarten? (UPK)
A high-quality pre-kindergarten experience is one of the most important opportunities we can give our children. High-quality pre-kindergarten helps to develop children’s cognitive, social, and emotional skills and sets a positive trajectory for later school success. Research shows that children who participate in high-quality preschool programs demonstrate higher achievement levels in the elementary grades, show greater interest in learning, are less likely to require special education, and are more likely to graduate from high school.
Information on Enrollment and Sessions
Wheatland-Chili's UPK program can accommodate 32 students - 16 students in the morning and 16 students in the afternoon.
A.M. Session: 8:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. (including snack)
P.M. Session: 12:30 P.M. - 3:08 P.M. (including snack)
If interest exceeds program capacity, a lottery will occur. Preferences for A.M. or P.M. sessions will be considered but not guaranteed.
Students must reside in the District and be four years old by December 1 for eligibility in that given school year.Transportation
Transportation will be provided by the school district, to and from school for both the A.M. and P.M. sessions.
Parents have the option of providing their own transportation or walking students to school.
Instructional Program
Aligned with NYS Pre-Kindergarten Standards
Domain 1 – Approaches to Learning
- How children become involved in learning and acquiring knowledge – readiness for Kindergarten
Domain 2 – Physical Development and Health
Domain 3 – Social and Emotional Learning
Domain 4 – Communication, Language, and Literacy
Domain 5 – Cognition and Knowledge of the World (Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts)Typical Session Schedule
30 minutes
Arrival- Wash Hands (upon entering), Snack, Attendance, Choice of Books, Puzzles, or Manipulatives
Morning Circle - Greeting, Morning Message, Calendar/Weather, Introduce/Review Theme, Word Work, Shared Reading
10 minutes
Music & Movement- Songs, Finger Plays, and Nursery Rhymes.
Classroom instruments (bells, triangles, tambourines, drums, etc…)
60 minutes
Center Time - Theme-Related Activities in Centers (i.e. Dramatic Play, Blocks, Art, Science/Discovery, Toys and Games/Math Manipulatives, Sand and Water/Sensory, Library, Cooking, Computers/technology, Writing)
Centers serve as an opportunity for child-initiated activity time and are open to all students. The teacher will manage center participation where necessary for logistical purposes and promote social, cognitive, and language development. The teacher will observe, ask open-ended questions, and prompt students to extend play and support learning.
10 minutes
Read-Aloud
30 minutes
Outdoor/Indoor Play – Observe and interact with children as they use play toys and equipment. Design group activities children can choose from. This play-based time is a social/emotional learning support.
10 minutes
Closing Circle - Lead group discussion about the day. Support children’s reflection on the day’s events.
Prepare for Dismissal (Pack-up, clean-up, use the bathroom, and line up)
Typical List of Needed School Supplies
- Backpack to carry take-home folder, projects, snack, and water bottle (approx 18x12x8)
- Plastic pencil box (8x5x2)
- 1 box of Large Crayola markers
- 2 Large Elmer's glue sticks
- 1 box of 24 Crayola crayons
- 1 pair of Fiskar blunt-edge scissors for children
- 1 water bottle with a flip top to avoid spills
- Headset/earphones (earbuds don't work well) for iPad use
- Change of clothes to keep at school in case of an accident or spills
