Pre-K

2025 - 2026 Pre-K Information:

BCSD Pre-Kindergarten Program: The Bedford Central School District (BCSD) will be offering a full-day, tuition-free Pre-K program for eligible 4-year-old children selected through a lottery process for the 2025-26 school year. This program is being funded through a Pre-K Expansion grant awarded to BCSD by the New York State Department of Education and is contingent upon grant and budget funding.

Age and Residency Requirements: To apply, students must reside within the BCSD attendance area and must turn 4-years-old between December 2, 2024 through December 1, 2025. Students who are age-eligible for Kindergarten cannot apply for the Pre-K lottery as per NYSED regulations.

Locations and Total Number of Spots: There are a total of 47 slots for Pre-K students.

Bedford Hills Elementary School: 18 slots
Mount Kisco Elementary School: 18 slots
Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco: 6 slots
Country Childrens Center in Bedford Hills: 5 slots

Learn more about the locations: There will be a virtual location info session on February 12 at 6:30pm. A link will be shared with lottery applicants and a recording will be posted here after the event.

Transportation, Calendar and Length of Day: Transportation will NOT be provided. The Pre-K program will follow the BCSD school calendar, including vacation days and school closings. The school day will run from 9 am - 2 pm.

Selection Through Lottery: Families can apply through links on the district’s home page and the Pre-K informational page beginning January 6. One entry per eligible child allowed. For twins/multiples complete ONLY ONE application and include both/all names. The lottery will be held on Friday, February 7th, 2025 at noon at the BCSD District Office on the Fox Lane campus. The lottery will be livestreamed. The link to watch the livestream can be found on the Pre-K page of the district website. After the lottery, families will be notified of their number in the lottery drawing. Please Note: Entering into the lottery does NOT guarantee a slot in the Pre-K program. Deadline: All applications must be received by 3pm on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025 to be eligible.

Families with siblings at one of our district locations (BHES & MKES): If a family has a child in one of our BCSD schools during the 2025-26 school year, and a spot isn’t available at the sibling’s location at time of selection, families can pick a spot at another location or decline a spot. Regardless of which of these options they choose, families can request to be placed on a “sibling waitlist.” If a spot opens up at the sibling’s school, they will be contacted and offered the spot in order of the sibling waitlist. If the family turns down the spot, they cannot request consideration for that location in the future. If no one eligible on the sibling waitlist selects the spot, it will be offered to those on the original waitlist in lottery number order.

For More Information Please Email or Call:

Ana Fritsch

914 241-6123

afritsch4843@bcsdny.org

-OR-

Maria Carrieri

914-241-6000 EXT 1530

mcarrieri4641@bcsdny.org

Frequently Asked Questions

I received my number. What happens now?

We will be calling families in the order drawn to allow them to select a location, and will continue this process until all spots are filled. This process will take several weeks, so thank you in advance for your patience.

How many spots are there available in each class and where are the locations?

There are a total of 46 slots for Pre-K students.

Bedford Hills Elementary School: 18 slots
Mount Kisco Elementary School: 18 slots
Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco: 6 slots
Country Childrens Center in Bedford Hills: 5 slots

What if I want to learn more about the different location options?

There will be a virtual Location Info Session on February 12 at 6:30pm. A link will be shared with lottery applicants and a recording will be posted here after the event.

What if I have another child who will be attending BHES or MKES next year? Do I get priority to choose the same school for my Pre-K student?

For families with siblings at one of our district locations (BHES & MKES), if a spot isn’t available there at the time of selection, they can pick another spot that’s available or decline a spot, and regardless of which of these options they choose, request to be placed on a “sibling waitlist.” If a spot opens up at the sibling’s school, they will be contacted and offered the spot in order of the sibling waitlist. If no one eligible on the sibling waitlist wants the spot, we will offer a spot to those on the original waitlist in order number. If the person on the “sibling waitlist” turns down the spot, they cannot request consideration for that location in the future.

Is transportation provided?

Transportation will NOT be provided.

What is the length of day and school year?

The Pre-K program will follow the BCSD school calendar, including vacation days and school closings. The school day will run from 9 am - 2 pm.

What about lunch and snack?

Students can bring or buy lunch, and can bring a snack to school.

Is there an option for extended day?

There is no option for any extended day program at BHES or MKES. Extended day is available at Country Childrens Center and Boys and Girls Club for an extra fee that can be discussed with those program administrators.

What happens once all slots are filled?

You will be notified that you have been put on the waitlist. In the event that a slot opens up, you will be contacted in order according to the waitlist.