Kings Bay Y at North Williamsburg Offers UPK

Kings Bay Y at North Williamsburg now offers Universal Pre-K. The North Williamsburg UPK is a free full-day program as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's initiative to enroll 50,000 new children in preschool.

Students in Kings Bay Y's UPK investigate the classroom plants' first flower blooming.

On Sept. 4, Kings Bay Y at North Williamsburg, which aims to build a community through its preschool and alternative program options, began offering Universal Pre-K in correspondence with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s preschool education plan. The citywide program’s goal was to enroll more than 50,000 new children into preschool whose families would be otherwise unable to afford it.

UPK is a free preschool program, available to children who are 4 or are turning 4 during the fall semester. At Kings Bay Y, the program is full day from 8:15am-2:40pm. Preschoolers enrolled in this program become familiar with letters and numbers, learn to write the alphabet, learn problem-solving, and develop socially and emotionally. Children also enjoy story time, predicting what will happen in the story, and making their own books. This program also focuses on community, teaching children about business and people in their neighborhood.

The preschool, which is now accepting registration for the 2015-2016 school year, services North Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, and Long Island City. Open enrollment is available throughout the year. If space is full, parents will be put on a waitlist and notified when a spot has become available.

Parents can schedule tours on Tuesdays between 10-11am. Walk-ins are also welcome.