Pre-K 4 lottery and registration
Applications are now available for our 2023-24 Pre-K 4 & magnet lotteries!
Applications must be received by March 17, 2023 in order to be included in the April 19, 2023 lottery drawing. Applications received after that time will be processed based on availability.
Our pre-K 4 progams are offered in school and community locations throughout the city. A child must be 4 by Dec. 1 of the year the enrolling school year in order to qualify for a pre-K 4 program.
Please note that pre-K 4 registration is a two part process. Please be sure to review all the information on this page before beginning your application.
Step 1: Apply for a seat
You can apply at any time, however, we encourage families to apply through the pre-k 4 lottery held each year. Applications recieved outside the annual lottery window will be processed based on availability. Once you have completed an application, the district will send an official notification by mail and email to the addresses you provided. You will receive one of three letters: an acceptance letter, a waiting-list letter or a waiting-pool letter.
Prefer a hard copy? You can download a print application here.
Need to apply for the current school year? Please contact Kahla Rainstrom in our Lottery Office.
Step 2: Accept an awarded seat and register
If you are awarded a seat and recieve an acceptance letter, you must then register your child to officially accept the seat you have been offered.
Please note that for community-based programs, you will also need to complete registration paperwork for the organization running the program.
Program locations
Our pre-K 4 program is offered in all our elementary schools and by community providers at the locations listed below. Please note that transportation is not provided for any pre-K program.
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
Schuyler Achievement Academy
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*: 7:15-8:30 a.m.
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.
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
School day: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
After-school care*: 2:30-5:30 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- 4:30 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.
Additional information
For a look at the program curriculum, please visit the pre-K 4 page of our academics section.
If you need assistance registering in a language other than English, please contact our Office of ENL and Refugee Services at (518) 475-6147.
For information regarding pre-K students with disabilities, please contact:
For more information on how the annual lottery works, you can visit our lotteries page.
Have questions?
Director, Office of Early Childhood
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
