UPK program

Learn about our Universal Pre-k Program and how we foster early learning, curiosity, and growth

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Partnerships

Four program sites participate as community-based organizations in UPK through contracts with local school districts. These classrooms comply with NYSED Subpart 151-1 regulations. Most UPK classrooms are co-located with our SCIS classrooms, staffed by both general and special education teachers to support inclusive learning.

New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP)

Two sites (Delanson and Amsterdam) serve as center-based locations for the EIP, offering group developmental interventions and therapy services for toddlers 18–36 months. Infants under 18 months are served at home.

Eligibility

EIP, administered by the New York State Department of Health, serves children under age three with confirmed disabilities or developmental delays in one or more of the following areas:

  • Physical

  • Cognitive

  • Communication

  • Social-emotional

  • Adaptive development

Philosophy & Educational Approach

Whole-Child, Family-Centered Focus

Whispering Pines Preschool emphasizes a whole-child approach, considering family input, formal assessments, and classroom observations to guide learning.

Play-Based Learning

Our curriculum is play- and experience-based, grounded in the principle that children learn best through active engagement, exploration, and meaningful interactions.

Supporting Individual Growth

Teachers provide intentional support through:

  • Modeling and demonstration

  • Scaffolding and guided instruction

  • Environmental adaptations and differentiated materials

  • Modifications for children with special needs

This approach helps children build on prior experiences, develop new skills, and engage fully in learning activities.

For more details, see the WPP Philosophy, Mission, and Curriculum document.

Standards and Curriculum Alignment

Our preschool follows the New York State Prekindergarten Foundation for the Common Core (NYSPFCC), which outlines the knowledge and skills preschool children typically demonstrate with appropriate support. To meet these standards, we use a combination of:

  • District-developed curriculum units (since 2014–2015)

  • Whispering Pines Preschool (WPP) curriculum, aligned to NYSPFCC

  • Creative Curriculum (Version 6), including early literacy components such as phonological awareness, vocabulary, story sense, and expressive/receptive language

  • Learning Without Tears and Handwriting Without Tears programs

Instructional Approach

Classrooms are arranged in learning centers that support both group and individual activities, providing a balance of teacher-initiated and child-initiated learning. Instruction is differentiated to meet each child’s unique learning style and functional level, allowing children to apply skills in practical, authentic contexts.

Supporting Early Literacy

We supplement the adopted curricula with materials and activities focused on:

  • Language and vocabulary development

  • Story comprehension

  • Phonological and phonemic awareness

Co-Located SCIS Classrooms

In classrooms co-located with special needs programs (SCIS), differentiated instruction is a key component, ensuring all children—whether typically developing or with special needs—receive individualized support to reach their potential.

See Full Program

Ability to Implement a Comprehensive Early Childhood Education Program