Childcare and Learning Another Language – in a play-based program.

Universal PreK is a government funded Pre-Kindergarten program.  Enrollment is free of charge to families, because the NYC Department of Education pays the tuition.  To increase the number of UPK seats available in a wide range of communities, the DOE has invited some private schools with a documented record of effective early childhood programming to participate.  These classes are operated by the host private school, but their curriculum and instruction is regulated by the Department of Education.  Should Morningside PlayCare opt into this program, we would open our doors in September 2021 with UPK classes targeting children who would like to learn Mandarin or Spanish or English.  Enrollment in UPK is open to any child who applies.  Children currently enrolled in the school and their siblings have first priority, followed by children in the school district.  Morningside Immersion PlayCare is exploring UPK participation as a way to make multilingualism available to a more economically diverse population.