Pre-K for 3-year-olds: lottery applications available

Applications are available now for the lottery to enroll children in prekindergarten classes for 3-year-olds for the upcoming school year.

Download an application here. You also can call (518) 475-6591 and have one mailed to you.

The City School District of Albany will collaborate with child care providers to offer pre-K for 3-year-olds at 12 community-based locations throughout the city starting in September. Enrollment in the program is determined by lottery; children must be 3 by Dec. 1 to be eligible. 

Lottery applications are due on Friday, May 7 and the lottery will be held Wednesday, May 12..

The program will follow the school district calendar, and families must provide their own transportation. Some locations offer before- and after-school care.

For more information, call the Early Childhood Department at (518) 475-6591. For questions about specific providers, please refer to the list below.

ACAP Head Start (five 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. 139.

Ann Klose First School Head Start
295 Colonie St.
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Extended-day care: None

Early Learning Center Head Start
25 Monroe St.
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. 

Hackett Boulevard Head Start 
21 Hackett Blvd. 
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: None

Nathan Lebron Early Learning Center Head Start 
170 Ontario St. 
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.

Olivia Rorie Center Head Start
7 Morton Ave. 
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care: None

Capital Milestones Childcare 
3 Harriman Campus Dr. • (518) 457-3210
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 Plaza, State Education Building
10 N. Hawk St. • (518) 474-2918
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 2:30-6 p.m. 

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.

Ernestina DiCioccio Bilingual Day Care Center-Centro Civico
230 Green St., 1st Floor • (518) 465-1145
Before-school care*: 8-8:30 a.m.
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
After-school care*: 3-5 p.m.

St. Anne Institute
160 North Main Ave. • (518) 437-6735
Before-school care*: 8-8:30 a.m.
School day: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
After-school care*: 3-5 p.m.

Temple Israel
600 New Scotland Ave. • (518) 438-7858 ext. 120
Before-school care*: 8-9 a.m.
School day: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 3:30-5:30 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.