Pre-K Coming To Woodhaven, LIC Branches
The Queens Borough Public Library is getting into the early childhood education business, as it announced Tuesday, July 8, it will open universal prekindergarten (UPK) classes this September at its Woodhaven and Ravenswood branches.
When opened, Queens Library will be the first library system in the U.S. to offer early childhood education programs. The city Department of Education approved Queens Library’s application for UPK seats last month.
“Queens Library is dedicated to lifelong learning,” said Thomas W. Galante, president and CEO of Queens Library. “No time in a child’s life is as important to academic success as the early learning years, and there is no better place to create good readers than at the library.”
According to the city DOE’s website, the Woodhaven branch at 85-41 Forest Pkwy. will offer 18 fullday UPK seats, while the Ravenswood branch at 35-32 21st St. will offer 36 full-day seats. Certified and licensed educators will lead each program.
Parents can apply for these and other available UPK programs citywide on the DOE’s website, www.schools.nyc.gov/prek.
Most UPK programs will open when New York City public schools reopen on Thursday, Sept. 4.
