Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)

The Canandaigua City School District offers a full-day only Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program. Additionally, transportation is available to all UPK sites to help ensure more families have access to this program. When completing the initial registration form, parents/guardians will be able to choose their first, second and third choices for UPK placement. Because placements are assigned via a lottery, children may not get their first choice, so it’s important to select second and third choices.

The UPK locations from which parents can choose are:

CA Primary School--96 West Gibson Street, Canandaigua

Care-A-Lot--1780 Rochester Road, Farmington

FLCC Child Care Center--3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua

Happiness House--5414 County Road 30, Canandaigua

Our Children’s Place--55 Wilcox Lane, Canandaigua

• The philosophy of our program is that children learn best in an environment that cultivates their natural interests and provides opportunities to learn through playing, exploring, listening, and creating. Through our Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, children will be provided with opportunities that encourage social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. While participation in a Pre-Kindergarten Program is not required for a student to be eligible for kindergarten the following year, it is great preparation for Kindergarten.
• To be included in the lottery, all documents and forms must be completed on or before Saturday, February 28th, 2026. If any documents or forms are received after the deadline, your child will be added to the waitlist.
• Wrap-around care refers to before-school and after-school childcare offered separately at our UPK partner locations. This optional program provides supervision and structured activities outside of standard UPK instructional hours for families who need care earlier in the morning and/or later in the afternoon. For information about pricing and program details, please contact the site directly. 
• CA Primary School: No wrap around care offered here.
• Care-A-Lot: Hours 7:30AM - 5:30PM*
• FLCC Child Care Center: Hours 7:30AM - 5PM*
• Happiness House: Hours 7AM - 5:30PM*
• Our Children's Place: Hours 6:30AM - 5:30PM*

*Hours of wrap-around care are subject to change.

• Transportation is provided to all locations. UPK students have the option to be transported by school bus or by parents. Students who are not yet four years of age are not eligible to ride the bus.
• The UPK schedule follows the Canandaigua City School District Calendar. Same days off for holidays as K-5 students, according to the school calendar.
• Breakfast and lunch are available at UPK.
• 8:35 arrival (8:50 start time), 3:05 dismissal.
• Nap and/or quiet time will be a part of your child’s day.
• Students at off-site child care centers for UPK will receive communications & the child's schedule from the child care center.

Please contact the Primary School office if you have questions at (585) 396-3939.

How do I register my child for the UPK lottery?
Complete both the online registration form and submit all documents and forms by Saturday, February 28, 2026. The initial registration form is located at the top of this page where it says "Click here for UPK Application."

Who can register a student?
Only the child's parent or legal guardian can register a student. Relatives can register a student only when that relative has legal custody of the child.

My former spouse and I share custody of our child. Can I register him/her?
The parent/guardian with primary custody of the child must register the child. Additionally, the parent with primary custody must maintain a residence in the Canandaigua City School District boundaries. The child must spend the majority of the school year with that parent/guardian.

How do I update/change contact information?
Contact the registrar at (585)396-3948 or, via email at: StudentRegistration@CanandaiguaSchools.org In addition, you can stop by the District Office at 143 North Pearl Street

Please submit evidence establishing you and your child’s physical presence in the school district. Such evidence may include:

1. A copy of a residential lease or proof of ownership of a house or condominium, such as a deed or mortgage statement;
2. A statement by a third-party landlord, owner or tenant from whom the parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation leases or with whom they share property within the District, which may be either sworn or unsworn;
3. Such other statement by a third party establishing the parent(s)’ or person(s) in parental relation’s physical presence in the district; and/or
4. Other forms of documentation, which may include, but will not be limited to:

• pay stub;
• income tax form;
• utility or other bills;
• membership documents (e.g., library cards) based upon residency;
• voter registration document(s);
• official driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver identification;
• State or other government issued identification;
• documents issued by federal, state or local agencies (e.g., local social service agency, federal Office of Refugee Resettlement); or
• evidence of custody of the child, including but not limited to judicial custody orders or guardianship papers.

** Note on Residency - Only students who are are valid inhabitants in the Canandaigua City School District boundaries may attend the district schools unless families in temporary residences fall within the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act.

The District will require documentation and/or information establishing your child’s age. Please supply a certified transcript of a birth certificate or record of baptism (including a certified transcript of a foreign birth certificate or record of baptism) giving the date of birth. Where such documentation is not available, a passport (including a foreign passport) may be used.

Where birth certificate or passport is not available, the District may consider certain other evidence, which has been in existence two years or more. Other evidence may include, but will not be limited to the following:

• official driver’s license;
• state or other government issued identification;
• school photo identification with date of birth;
• consulate identification card;
• hospital or health records;
• military dependent identification card;
• documents issued by federal, state or local agencies (e.g., local social service agency, federal Office of Refugee Resettlement);
• court orders or other court-issued documents;
• Native American tribal document; or
• records from non-profit international aid agencies and voluntary agencies

In accordance with New York State’s Public Health Law, the District must also receive evidence that your child has been immunized in accordance with the New York State Department of Heath Immunization Bureau’s Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance. These records will be necessary to ensure your child’s continued attendance. Additionally, please provide us with records of any recent physical examination your student has received. New York State mandates that each new student entering a public school is required to have a physical examination upon entering the District. A physical completed no more than twelve months before the first day of the school year in question will meet this requirement.

Custody paperwork is required if the student has more than one legal guardian, who resides at a different address than the student.

For example: If a parent is listed on the birth certificate, but does not currently live with the child, you will need to provide some sort of documentation. If court generated guardianship papers are not available, the district will provide affidavits that you can use to specify your custodial arrangement.

To provide evidence of custody of the child, including but not limited to judicial custody orders or guardianship papers.

The District may also require the parent(s) and/or person(s) in parental relation to the child to provide an affidavit either:

1. indicating that they are the parent(s) with whom the child lawfully resides; or
2. indicating that they are the person(s) in parental relation to the child, over whom they have total and permanent custody and control, and describing how they obtained total and permanent custody and control, whether through guardianship or otherwise.

Only the child's parent or legal guardian can register a student. Upload your ID to confirm guardianship.

During the registration process, parents/guardians will be prompted to complete the following forms online.

• Additional Student Information Form
• Medical History Form
• Transportation Form
• Child Development Form (Only if student is UPK or Kindergarten)
• Family Input Form(Only if student is UPK or Kindergarten)

We would be happy to answer any questions related to Canandaigua’s UPK registration. Please call the Registrar at (585)396-3948 or email StudentRegistration@CanandaiguaSchools.org.