• Eligibility & Registration for Boston UPK

    A Boston Universal Pre-K-eligible child is:

    • Three or four years old as of September 1 of the school year for which you are seeking to enroll 

    • A resident of Boston

    Boston UPK setting options can be found below:

    Please note that the process for UPK enrollment may be different based on the setting.


  • “UPK has been the perfect transition for my son from his small and loving home childcare to a more traditional school environment. The hands-on teaching staff, diverse peer group, and focus on play and exploration have contributed immensely to his growth over the past year. He has acquired important literacy and numeracy skills, but has also become a more confident learner, a deeply curious thinker, and a better friend through his UPK experience. The highlight of our day is when he opens his backpack to present me with the artwork and projects he created which showcase his learning and enthusiasm in a tangible way. In addition, we have been thoroughly impressed with the UPK teaching team.
    - Sarah Olia, UPK parent, 2021
     



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Universal Pre-K at Family Child Care Providers

  • How many UPK seats are offered at a Family Child Care at any given time?

  • Family Child Care providers traditionally offer a much longer schedule, will my child be participating for the entire day free of charge?

  • Family Child Care providers often have a variety of ages in the program, how will the teacher be able to deliver instruction in this setting given the various student needs?



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Boston Universal Pre-K

  • I submitted an application for my child for UPK at a community provider. What happens now?

  • Who is eligible for Boston Universal Pre-K?

  • How is pre-k at a community provider different from a Boston Public Schools classroom?

  • How long does it take to complete the online SchoolMint application for UPK at community providers?

  • Is there flexibility in the September 1 cut-off date for age for starting pre-k?

  • How are families prioritized for enrollment at UPK community providers?

  • Is there before-school care, after-school care, or summer care provided at UPK community providers?

  • Can I use a voucher for before-school care, after-school care, and/or summer care (“wraparound services”)? at UPK community providers?

  • Why is registration for UPK at community providers separate from BPS schools?

  • How might enrolling in pre-k at a community provider instead of pre-k (K1) at a BPS school affect my child’s chances in the BPS lottery for K2?

  • How can someone apply for UPK at a community provider without a computer or web-enabled mobile device?

  • My account for community provider registration (SchoolMint) has been disabled because I attempted to log in too many times. What should I do?

  • How are UPK community providers handling the COVID-19 pandemic?

  • How was funding established for free universal pre-k in Boston?

  • I am a child care provider. How can my program become a Boston UPK provider?