Pre-K - Bedford Village Elementary

Update:

A new Request for Proposals (RFP) was sent out to solicit additional spots at Pre-K locations in our area for the 2026-27 school year. The District did not receive a response from any local community-based organizations (CBO).

We believe the uncertainly of the NYS budget left preschool programs in a position where they are unable to fully commit. With that in mind, the District will resend the RFP once the NYS budget is approved. We hope local preschool programs will have more certainty of funding and that it will yield more CBO spots for the 2026-27 school year.

As of March 25, 2026 all available UPK spots have been filled.

All families who entered the lottery but were not contacted to select a spot should have received a communication with information about the waitlist.

We are excited to launch our online registration website through ParentVue for UPK students registering for the 2026-27 school year at one of our Pre-K locations. You are only eligible to register your child for UPK if you entered in the Pre-K lottery process and were contacted to select a location for your child.

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 2026-2027 school year. This program is being funded through a Pre-K Expansion grant awarded to BCSD by the New York Education Department.

Age and Residency Requirements: To apply, students must reside within the BCSD attendance area and must turn 4-years-old between December 2, 2025 and December 1, 2026. Students who are age-eligible for Kindergarten cannot apply for the Pre-K lottery as per NYSED regulations.

Locations and Total Number of Spots: We anticipate a total of 46 slots for Pre-K students.

Bedford Hills Elementary School: 18 slots
Mount Kisco Elementary School: 18 slots
Country Childrens Center in Bedford Hills: 10 slots

Transportation: Transportation will NOT be provided.

Calendar and Length of Day: 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. There is no before or after-school care provided by BCSD at BHES or MKES for Pre-K students. However, at Country Childrens Center and Boys and Girls Club, there are options for before and after-school care. Please contact these schools directly for additional information.

Selection Through Lottery:

The lottery will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at noon at the BCSD District Office on the Fox Lane campus. It will be livestreamed. Families will be notified of their number in the lottery drawing.

The lottery is NOT an in-person event. Families can tune in to watch, but are not obligated to do so. Communication will be sent after the lottery to let families know their number.

Additional Information: For more information, please visit the NYSED website. Translations of the FAQs are available in multiple languages.

You can also email or call one of the staff members below:

Nattasha Garcia

914-241-6074

ngarcia5290@bcsdny.org

Maria Carrieri

914-241-6000 EXT 1530

mcarrieri4641@bcsdny.org

Pre-K Info Session Slide Presentation

Pre-K Info Session 2-12-26

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?

We anticipate a total of 46 slots for Pre-K students.

Bedford Hills Elementary School: 18 slots
Mount Kisco Elementary School: 18 slots
Country Childrens Center in Bedford Hills: 10 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.