EDUCATION

PRE-K at the YWCA ...Universal Pre-K

The YWCA Elmira and the Twin Tiers works in partnership with the Elmira City School District to provide FREE Universal Pre-K to families; just choose the YWCA as your location during registration with the school district. Our UPK is led by a state-certified and experienced teacher and follows the same curriculum as the school district. To qualify students must be potty-trained, 4 years old by December 1st, and a resident of the Elmira City School District.

UPK is held at the YWCA on 211 Lake Street, Elmira. Parents are responsible for transportation; it is not provided.

We follow the Elmira City School District school calendar.
If school is closed, UPK is closed.
We do offer Wrap Around services during holidays and summer months.

Our class size is smaller and we staff at a ratio of 7 students:1 adult resulting in more individualized attention.

Our staff are all certified by NYS including fingerprinting, background checks, and annual required training on childcare fundamentals.

Due to our location students enjoy field trips to educational opportunities within walking distance such as the Clemens Center and Steele Memorial Library. We also receive services from the BookMobile.

Wrap Around child care is available before and after school hours on site from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm. There is a cost and we also accept child care subsidy. (Please call the Chemung County Child Care Council at 607-734-3941.)

To enroll your child, you must register through the school district. Registration forms can be found on this site or the Elmira City School District's website or offices. Forms must be returned to the ECSD, not the YWCA to ensure enrollment. If you need before/after school care, please notify the YWCA.

Universal Pre-K Wrap Around Type of Care Full Time (Before and After school) Part Time (Before and After School) Full Day Days Per Week 4/5 days 3 days or less Holiday/Conference Day Cost $98.75 per week $61.25 per week $40.00 per day YWCA Pre-K

Pre-K takes place on the second floor of the YWCA building. We offer care and social, physical, cognitive, and emotional education for students ages 3 to 5. The program uses the on-site gym with recreational equipment and adjacent playground.

We model our efforts on the standards of the schools our students will enter. We aim for a balance of academic and social growth. Our children learn school readiness skills, helping each child to reach his or her full potential.

School readiness skills include: understanding and following instructions, communicating with others, expressing feelings appropriately, knowing how to share, and being eager to learn and try new experiences.

​The Pre-K program is open to any child ages 3 - 5 yrs old. Child care is available from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm.

Child Care subsidy is gladly accepted for parents who qualify.
Call the Chemung County Child Care Council at 607-734-3941 for more information.

What sets the YWCA apart from other Pre-K's?
New York State licensed since 1975
Small class size
Education based on Common Core for UPK students
Continuous communication between parents and staff
Conveniently located in downtown Elmira
Local walking field trips and adventures

Please call the YWCA to schedule a visit. Enrollment forms can be downloaded here or picked up at the YWCA.

Full time 4/5 days week Part time 3 days week ​Per Day- FT Cost $245.00 per week $150.00 per week $50.00 per day