ATTENTION: FREE Pre-K Seats Still Available At BK Locations

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** October 13, 2011

Contact: Simone Hawkins at (212) 788-7081

HUNDREDS OF FREE PRE-K SEATS STILL AVAILABLE AT BROOKLYN LOCATIONS
Council Member Letitia James Urges Parents to Enroll Four-Year-Olds Before October 31st Deadline

Brooklyn– Council Member James urges Brooklyn parents to enroll their four-year-olds in free Universal pre-Kindergarten (UPK) classes as full-day and half-day seats remain available at 58 locations around the borough.

All New York City children who turn four years of age by December 31, 2011 are eligible for free UPK seats. Available half-day and full day UPK seats are located at public schools and community-based childcare centers contracted by the Department of Education. UPK offers flexibility in that families can enroll their children in available seats located where they live, where they work, where they go to school or wherever it is convenient for them.

“It is imperative that New York City parents utilize the UPK programs within their communities. With the many cuts to child care services, we must work together to preserve this necessary resource for families. Parents and guardians who rely on this essential service should make sure to contact 311 or the New York City Department of Education to find a center near you before the October 31st deadline. Let us continue to cultivate our communities and children one day at a time.”

Since 2002, the number of four-year-olds enrolled in UPK has increased by over 18,000, with more than 60,000 available seats this year. The City Council and the Bloomberg administration have worked collaboratively with childcare advocates to increase access to pre-kindergarten programs and to ensure their quality over the past six years. However, the majority of funding for UPK comes from state funds, and every year the City is forced to return millions of dollars to the state because UPK seats went unused.

For a full list of programs in your neighborhood that still have seats available, parents can go to City Map on www.nyc.gov, http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/PreK or call 311.

ATTENTION: NYC Imagination Library

The NYC Imagination Library is an initiative of the NYC Department of Education and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The goal is to promote the development of emergent literacy and language skills that are important for every child's success in school by encouraging all NYC parents to read aloud to their children from birth until age five.

Just enroll your preschool-aged child (age 0- 5 yrs) in the NYC Imagination Library- through filling out the application on the link below- and a new, age-appropriate book will be mailed each month in your child's name directly to your home. Books will begin arriving at your home six to eight weeks after your registration form has been received, and will continue every month until your child turns five.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/NYC_Imagination_Library_application.pdf

Your child will be eligible for this program as long as you live within the five boroughs of NYC. To reach the NYC Imagination Library program, please call (718) 642-5791 or email imaginationlibrary@schools.nyc.gov.

NYCDOE: Brooklyn UPK Enrollment Info Session

Starting Monday, March 7, pre-kindergarten directories and applications will be available at elementary schools with pre-k programs, borough enrollment offices, information sessions and online at http://www.nyc.gov/schools/prek. The deadline for families to submit an application is Friday, April 8.

Families are invited to attend a pre-kindergarten information session during the week of March 7. These sessions will provide families with a great opportunity to learn more about pre-k programs and the admissions process. Staff members from the Offices of Early Childhood Education and Student Enrollment will be there to answer questions. Translation and interpretation services will be provided. See below for more details about the Brooklyn session.

Tuesday, March 8 - Brooklyn
Sunset Park High School
153 35th Street
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

If you have any specific questions regarding the Pre-K admissions process, visit http://www.nyc.gov/schools/prek or call the Office of Student Enrollment at 718-935-2009.

Enroll your 4-Year Old in Pre-K NOW!!

New York City provides free Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs for children who are four years old by December 31, 2010 and live in the City of New York.

Please contact the Pre-Kindergarten programs in your area which are listed at www.nyc.gov/schools/prek or call 718-935-2009 for availability. Deadline for registration is Friday, October 29, 2010. Openings will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To register you must bring your child and the following documents to the program for registration:

* proof of birth (birth certificate or passport)
* two documents verifying proof of residence
* immunization records

For additional information, please call 718-935-2009 or email ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov.