Early Childhood
Phone: 518-475-6591
108 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12209
Interested in applying to our pre-K programs?
Visit our registration section to learn how!
ONLINE REGISTRATION NOT AVAILABLE
About our department
We offer two prekindergarten programs in the City School District of Albany: pre-K for 3-year-olds (pre-K 3) and pre-K for 4-year-olds (pre-K 4).
A child must be 3 on or before Dec. 1 of the following school year in order to qualify for a pre-K 3 program. A child must be 4 on or before Dec. 1 of the following school year to qualify for a pre-K 4 program.
Both programs are enrolled by a lottery, which are held at two separate times.
Children must be residents of the City of Albany to enroll in our pre-K programs.
No step is more important in your child's education than the first one. The City School District of Albany is dedicated to building a solid educational foundation for success starting with our youngest learners.
In addition to the guiding principles of our district, we strive to keep our diverse children and families at the heart of our work because we teach what we love and we love who we teach.
We offer full-day prekindergarten seats to 4-year olds in all our elementary schools, in its bilingual Dual Language Program and at several community agencies. The program follows the school district calendar; students are in class 6.5 hours a day for at least 180 days.
We also recognize the role parents and guardians have as a child’s first teacher and best advocate and the role early childhood programs play in the educational success of our community’s children.
By collaborating with families and early childhood programs, we hope to learn from one another build a partnership that ensures every child is ready for success.
Our mission is to provide children with a safe, nurturing, child-centered learning environment that supports the development of the whole child.
We are committed to developing independent, confident students, who will be academically prepared and socially responsible citizens, solving problems as lifelong learners in the global community.
This is accomplished through an enriched curriculum that builds upon the foundation established at home, moving along a continuum which prepares students for a seamless transition to our kindergarten programs.
Assistant Director, Office of Early Childhood
Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood
Assistant Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood
Assistant Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood
Assistant Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood
Administrative Assistant
Pre-K 3 providers
ACAP Head Start (three locations)
Please note that to be eligible for a Head Start prekindergarten program, your family must meet certain income requirements. For more information, call (518) 463-3175, ext. 135.
Early Learning Center
25 Monroe St. • (518) 463-3175 ext. 139
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Before-school care: 7:30-8 a.m.*
After-school care: None
Hackett Boulevard Head Start
21 Hackett Boulevard • (518) 463-3175 ext. 139
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Before-school care: None
After-school care: None
Nathan Lebron Early Learning Center
170 Ontario St. • (518) 463-3175 ext. 139
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Before-school care: 7:30-8 a.m.*
After-school care: None
Capital Milestones Childcare
3 Harriman Campus Road • (518) 457-3210
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Before-school care: 7-8 a.m.*
After-school care: 2:30-5:30 p.m.*
Children’s Place at the Plaza
Swan Street Building, Core 2, Empire State Plaza,
Crystal Room Pavilion • (518) 473-7112
School Day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Before-school care: 7-8:30 a.m.*
After-school care: 3-5:30 p.m.*
Children’s Place at the State Education Building
10 N. Hawk St. • (518) 474-2918
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Before-school care: 7:30-8:30 a.m.*
After-school care: 3- 5:30 p.m.*
A Child’s Place at Unity, Unity House of Troy, Inc.
50 Phillip St. • (518) 434-0815
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: 7:30-8 a.m.; 2:30-5:30 p.m.*
Giffen Memorial Elementary School
274 South Pearl St. • (518) 475-6650
School day: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Before-school care: None
After-school care: None
St. Anne Institute
160 North Main Ave. • (518) 437-6735
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Before-school care: None
After-school care: 3- 4:30 p.m*
*Many programs charge a fee for after-school care, and it is offered at the discretion of outside providers when there is sufficient enrollment and qualified staff. Contact the school or program for more information. The Albany County Department of Social Services may be able to help you pay. For more information, contact them at (518) 447-7435 or DSSchildcaresubsidyunit@albanycounty.com.
Pre-K 4 providers
Albany School of Humanities (ASH)
108 Whitehall Road • (518) 475-6575
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Arbor Hill Elementary School
1 Arbor Drive • (518) 475-6625
School day: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
Delaware Community School
43 Bertha St. • (518) 475-6750
School day: 9:05 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
After-school care: No
Dual Language Program
50 North Lark St.. • (518) 475-6600
School day: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 3:30-6 p.m.
Eagle Point Elementary School
1044 Western Ave. • (518) 475-6825
School day: 8:10 a.m.-2:40 p.m.
After-school care*: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Giffen Memorial Elementary School
274 South Pearl St. • (518) 475-6650
School day: 9:05 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
After-school care: No
Montessori Magnet School
45 Tremont St. • (518) 475-6675
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
New Scotland Elementary School
369 New Scotland Ave. • (518) 475-6775
School day: 9:05 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
After-school care*: 3:30-5:45 p.m.
Pine Hills Elementary School
41 North Allen St. • (518) 475-6725
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
Roots Academy at West Hill
676 Clinton Ave. • (518) 475-6700
School day: 9:05 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
After-school care: No
Sheridan Preparatory Academy
400 Sheridan Ave. • (518) 475-6850
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST)
Lincoln Park • (518) 475-6875
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
*Many programs charge a fee for after-school care, and it is offered at the discretion of outside providers when there is sufficient enrollment and qualified staff. Contact the school or program for more information. The Albany County Department of Social Services may be able to help you pay. For more information, contact them at (518) 447-7435 or DSSchildcaresubsidyunit@albanycounty.com.
ACAP Head Start
Please note that to be eligible for a Head Start prekindergarten program, your family must meet certain income requirements. For more information, call (518) 463-3175, ext. 139.
Early Learning Center
25 Monroe St.
Before-school care: 7:30-8 a.m.*
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
Hackett Boulevard Head Start
21 Hackett Blvd.
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
Nathan Lebron Early Learning Center
170 Ontario St.
Before-school care: 7:30-8 a.m.*
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: No
A Child’s Place at Unity
50 Philip St. • (518) 434-0815
Before-school care: 7:30-8 a.m.*
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Albany Jewish Community Center
340 Whitehall Road • (518) 689-0039
Before-school care: 7-8:30 a.m.*
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
After-school care: 3-5:30 p.m.*
Capital Milestones Childcare
3 Harriman Campus Dr. • (518) 457-3020
Before-school care: 7-8 a.m.*
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: 2:30-5:30 p.m.*
Children’s Place at the Plaza
Swan Street Building, Core 2,
Empire State Plaza,
Crystal Room Pavilion • (518) 474-4736
Before-school care: 7-8:30 a.m.*
School Day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
After-school care: 3-5:30 p.m.*
Children’s Place at the State Education Building
10 N. Hawk St. • (518) 474-2918
Before-school care: 7-8:30 a.m.*
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
After-school care: 3-5:30 p.m.*
St. Anne Institute
160 North Main Ave. • (518) 437-6735
Before-school care: None
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
After-school care: 3- 4:30 p.m.*
*Many programs charge a fee for after-school care, and it is offered at the discretion of outside providers when there is sufficient enrollment and qualified staff. Contact the school or program for more information. The Albany County Department of Social Services may be able to help you pay. For more information, contact them at (518) 447-7435 or DSSchildcaresubsidyunit@albanycounty.com.
