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The Office of Early Learning (OEL) is pleased to confirm that your BOCES Targeted Prekindergarten (TPK) grant has been renewed for the 2026–2027 program year (running July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

Please review the chart below for specific grant awards, match requirements, and required session counts for the three BOCES recipients.

* A half-day class counts as 1.0 session, and a full-day class counts as 2.0 sessions. Please contact OEL if you have questions regarding the number of sessions that your agency is required to offer.

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Each session must serve a minimum of 16 children, with a maximum group size of 20. For co-located classes, the group size is the combined total of both Targeted Prekindergarten (TPK) and Special Class Integrated Setting (SCIS) students.

Staffing requirements are determined by class size:

• Up to 18 students: 1 Teacher and 1 Paraprofessional
• 19 to 20 students: 1 Teacher and 2 Paraprofessionals

Summer Programming & Funding Adjustments

At the discretion of the BOCES, a portion of the grant allocation may be used for summer programming. However, if the number of sessions offered during the school year is reduced, the maximum operating grant will be reduced proportionately.

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Compliance and Budget Review

Services must be provided in accordance with your approved application and Subpart 151-2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner. Final approval of the TPK application and funding amount is contingent upon the Department’s review of the proposed budget (FS-10) to ensure all expenditures are allowable.

Please Note: All grants are subject to ongoing review, monitoring, and auditing. The Department reserves the right to recoup funds if approved activities are not performed or if funds are expended inappropriately.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Enrolled children must meet the "economically disadvantaged" criteria defined in Section 151-2.2(b) of the Regulations of the Commissioner (e.g., family eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP/food stamps, reduced-price school lunch, TANF/assistance, unemployment, or disability compensation).

Per Section 151-2.5(1), grantees must ensure that at least 80 percent of enrolled children meet these eligibility requirements, unless all interested and eligible economically disadvantaged children in the service area have already been served.

Enrollment Priority:

1. Priority 1: Economically disadvantaged children meeting the criteria above.
2. Priority 2: Children from other interested families. These placements may be offered only after all eligible Priority 1 applicants have been enrolled. Grantees must prioritize these remaining slots for the neediest children from low-income, working families.

Application Submission Instructions

To apply for the 2026–2027 school year, you must submit both the attached TPK Application and an FS-10 Proposed Budget.

• Step 1: Digital Submission (Due August 31, 2026). Email your completed application and a scan of the signed FS-10 to OEL@nysed.gov.
• Step 2: Hard Copy Submission. Mail the physical copies to the address below. Your mailing must include:

• One (1) copy of the application
• One (1) FS-10 budget with an original signature
• Two (2) copies of the FS-10

Mailing Address:

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Office of Early Learning

89 Washington Avenue, EB 514 West Mezzanine

Albany, New York 12234

Attn: TPK Application

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