Enrollment for Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten:
If your child was born in 2019 and lives in New York City they are eligible to attend pre-K right now. You can use the Pre-K Directory on MySchools to search for schools. Contact schools directly to learn more.
If your child was born in 2020, the pre-K application is now open! You can add your child to your MySchools.nyc account
Click the “Get Started” button to begin your application. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2024.
Fall 2024 Admissions Timeline*
Below are the application open, close, and offer release dates. These dates are for students who are applying during the 2023-2024 school year for admission in the 2024-2025 school year.
*Please note: These dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced and communicated directly to families. Sign up for updates here(Open external link).
Pre-K Admissions
- Wednesday, January 10, 2024: Pre-K Application Opens
- Friday, March 1, 2024: Pre-K Application Closes
- Tuesday, May 14, 2024: Pre-K Offer Release
Who Can Apply?
All NYC children born in 2020 can apply for pre-K for the 2024-2025 school year, including children currently attending 3-K or other preschool programs, children with disabilities, children with accessibility needs, children learning English, and students in temporary housing. Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend pre-K.
Pre-K Programs Serving Students with Disabilities
All pre-K programs serve children with and without disabilities. If your child has an IEP (Individualized Education Programs) that recommends a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) and/or Related Services only, these services can be provided at all pre-K programs, or at home under certain circumstances. If your child has an IEP that recommends "Special Class in an Integrated Setting" (SCIS) or "Special Class," the CPSE will arrange for an appropriate placement in a preschool special education program. These classes are available at community-based special education programs, and at some Pre-K Centers and NYCPS public schools. Learn more about how the NYCPS serves students with disabilities at schools.nyc.gov/SpecialEducation
How to Find Programs
Use MySchools to search for and learn about pre-K options. During the application period, you can also use MySchools to add programs to your child's application and submit it.
- There are three different pre-K school settings. Learn more below.
- A specific school may offer up to three seat types, which differ in hours and eligibility requirements. When applying to that school in MySchools, be sure to add the seat type(s) you want and are eligible for to your child's application.
Pre-K Settings
There are three settings for pre-K. Each setting offers the same high-quality, play-based curriculum to New York City’s four-year-old children:
- NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs). These are community-based organizations with early childhood expertise. NYCEECs could be private schools, daycares, or other sites that partner with NYCPS to provide pre-K. Additionally many programs may offer early drop off or late pickup options for a fee.
- District Schools. Some public elementary schools offer pre-K. Consider this option if you want your child to attend a program in an elementary school setting. (This program we offer)
- Pre-K Centers. Pre-K Centers are run by NYCPS staff and only offer grades before kindergarten. Consider Pre-K Centers if you want your child to attend a program with only young children.
Pre-K Seat Types
Within the three settings for pre-K there are three pre-K seat types: School Day, Extended Day and Year, and Head Start. A pre-K site may offer one, two, or all three of these seat types, which vary in terms of hours and eligibility requirements. You can learn which sites offer which seat types in MySchools. Seat types have different eligibilities, so check to make sure you are applying to the seat type(s) you want and are likely eligible for.
- School Day seats are open to all NYC children. These seats are free and provide care and learning for 6 hours and 20 minutes a day during the school year, typically from September to June. All pre-K settings offer this seat type.
- Extended Day and Year seats are free or low cost and provide early care and education for up to 10 hours of care a day, year-round, including the summer. Eligibility for these seats is based on family income and needs. If you receive an offer to an Extended Day and Year seat, you will need to confirm your child’s eligibility by completing a Child Care application, which you can find at MyCity. NYCEECs offer this seat type.
- Head Start seats are free and provide up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round. Eligibility for Head Start is based on family income and needs. If you receive an offer to a Head Start seat, the program will work with you to confirm your child’s eligibility. NYCEECs offer this seat type.
How to Apply
During the pre-K application period, families can apply one of three ways:
- Online with MySchools(Open external link). Apply online in English, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, or Urdu.
- By phone at 718-935-2009. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages for over-the-phone applications. You can ask questions and request information about admissions in any language when you call.
- In person at a Family Welcome Center. An Enrollment Counselor can assist you in submitting an application.
Families Applying to Pre-K for More than One Child
If you are applying to pre-K for more than one child and want your children to attend the same school, you can apply for all children at the same time. First, create your MySchools account. Then add all your children to your MySchools dashboard. After all children have been added to the dashboard, make sure to list which children are multiples (such as twins or triplets) when submitting your application.
Tip: Pre-K admissions is not first come, first served! You can make changes to your application any time before the deadline. All applications submitted by this date are treated the same based on admissions priorities.
Get Your Pre-K Offer
Pre-K offers are released in the spring. All families who submit a pre-K application by the deadline receive a pre-K offer letter; those with MySchools accounts can also view their offer in MySchools. Your pre-K offer letter includes your child's pre-K offer and lets you know where your child is waitlisted, if applicable.
Accept Your Offer
Secure your child's seat by accepting and registering for your pre-K offer by the deadline provided in your offer letter. The program will work with you to register your child. Be sure to accept your offer even if you are waitlisted at another program or programs.
Waitlists
Programs use waitlists to fill open seats after offers are made.
- Your child will be automatically added to the waitlist for any program you ranked higher on your pre-K application than the program where your child got an offer.
- You can also add your child to additional program's waitlists: this is optional.
- Programs will contact you directly if they are able to offer your child a seat from the waitlist.
- Learn more on our Waitlists page.
Students Who Move During the Admissions Process
If your family moves during the admissions process, call 718-935-2009 or email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov to update your information and talk about changes to your pre-K application or program. Your child’s priority to attend certain programs may change if you move.
Transportation
In New York City, enrollment in a pre-K program does not include school bus service. Only children who are eligible for specialized transportation will get bus service.
