Universal Pre-K

Shaloh House is proud to be a UPK Community-Based Early Learning Center for the City of Boston’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program ! As part of this highly regarded, national program, the City of Boston provides high-quality preschool for every 3 and 4-year-old living in the city at no cost to families. All Boston children who are four years old on or before September 1 are eligible for this program.

UPK program hours are from 9:30am-4:00pm; tuition is fully funded by the City of Boston for eligible families. This means that our Shaloh House high quality Pre-K program is available to Boston residents free of charge! Families who wish to add Judaics to their child’s day may add additional time in the morning ( 8:00am-9:30am) for a nominal fee. Aftercare is also available for those families who need a later pick-up (5:00pm), also for a nominal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What's the Difference Between UPK and Pre-K? Not a lot! Both programs have the same curriculum and instructors, and students from both programs are in class together, doing the same projects and learning the same fundamentals. The main difference is that UPK does not include Judaics as part of its curriculum. UPK students and families can, if they’d like, sign up for the Judaic program and add onto the UPK school day, starting at 8am instead of 9am.
  1. What if I’m not a Boston resident? Can my child still come to Pre-K at Shaloh House? You can definitely come to Shaloh House if you don’t live in Boston! We have students from many of the surrounding towns, including Newton, Brookline, Framingham, and even Cape Cod. Our Pre-K students are fully integrated with our UPK students; all enjoy the advantages of our wonderful Shaloh House education!
  1. Are meals provided? Of course we’re going to feed you - we’re Jewish! All students, from our Toddlers in Preschool to our sixth graders in elementary school, receive two meals daily from Shaloh House’s delicious and nutritious kosher kitchen, plus snacks and the occasional slushy! That’s right: come to Shaloh House and never pack a lunch box again!

Free Pre-K? Where do I sign up?! Call Shaloh House at 617-787-2200 and ask to speak to Elana Markov, Enrollment Coordinator. Elana will give you more information about the program, and walk you through our Admissions Process for UPK