Offering FREE 3K & 4K!!!

 Early Childhood Education in NYC: 3‑K & Pre‑K Overview

What Are 3‑K and Pre‑K?

3‑K: Free, full‑day early education for children in the calendar year they turn three—i.e., born in 2022 are eligible for Fall 2025 entry. (schools.nyc.gov)

Pre‑K: Free, full‑day education for children in the year they turn four—e.g., born in 2021 are eligible for Fall 2025. 
These programs deliver high-quality, play-based curricula designed to build social, emotional, and cognitive skills prior to kindergarten entry.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is broad for both programs:

3‑K: NYC children born in 2022 (Fall 2025 entrants); also open to children with disabilities, English Language Learners, those in temporary housing, etc. (schools.nyc.gov)

Pre‑K: NYC children born in 2021, including those with special needs, ELLs, temporary housing, etc. 
To apply, children do not need to be toilet‑trained.

Settings available for both programs:

• NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs)
• District (zoned) public schools
• Pre‑K Centers
• Family Child Care (only for 3‑K) (schools.nyc.gov, schools.nyc.gov)

 Admissions Process & Priorities

How Offers Are Made: Based on your application choices, seat availability, and admissions priorities. Offer letters and waitlist info are released in spring. (schools.nyc.gov)

Household priority (e.g., low‑income, ELL, temporary housing)
Prioritization order differs slightly depending on setting (NYCEEC, District school, Pre‑K center, or Family Child Care). (schools.nyc.gov, schools.nyc.gov)

How to Apply

Families can apply through any of the following:

• MySchools online (supports 10+ languages)
• Phone at 718‑935‑2009 (200+ languages)
• In-person at Family Welcome Centers with an Enrollment Counselor (schools.nyc.gov)

Multiple children? Add all to one MySchools account and list multiples (e.g., twins) for same‑school placement. Applications are not first‑come, first‑served—rankings and priorities matter.

Missed the Deadline?

Waitlists: Available after Feb 28; you can join via MySchools if seats remain. (schools.nyc.gov)

Mid-year enrollment (Extended Day/Year or Head Start) may be possible if eligible; check MySchools or email CCapplication@schools.nyc.gov or ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov. (schools.nyc.gov)

Special Needs & Language Supports

All programs serve children with disabilities—IEP services, SCIS, SEIT, etc., available across settings. (schools.nyc.gov)

Language support includes bilingual staff, translations, and interpretation. Reach out via prekduallanguage@schools.nyc.gov. (schools.nyc.gov)

Explore Programs

Use MySchools to search programs, filter by eligibility, seat type, dual language options, and more.

Virtual/in-person open houses may also offer insights—check program websites and directories. (schools.nyc.gov)

Next Steps

Accepted? Accept & register offer by given deadline to secure your child’s seat.

Transportation isn’t included unless eligible for specialized services. (schools.nyc.gov)

Planning ahead: families in 3‑K should start thinking about Pre‑K; Pre‑K families should begin preparing for kindergarten applications. (schools.nyc.gov)

Additional Resources

2025 NYC Admissions Guide & registration checklists (available in 10+ languages)

Support via: Family Welcome Centers, E‑mail (ESEnrollment@…), 311, & phone

Access DOE tools: MySchools, TeachHub, NYCSA, etc. (schools.nyc.gov, schools.nyc.gov)

Tip: Embed relevant MySchools links, highlight deadlines, and add call‑to‑action buttons (“Apply Now,” “Join Waitlist,” etc.) for a more engaging user experience.