In New York City, we’ve tripled the number of children in free, full-day, high-quality pre-K, growing to approximately 70,000 students. Now, we’re doing even more.
This program will profoundly change the lives of our children and trajectory of our public school system for years to come. The initiative is the most ambitious effort in U.S. history to provide free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for every three-year-old regardless of family income. This is part of a broader effort to create a continuum of early care and education programs for New York City children from birth to five years old.
The Path to 3-K for All
We will begin the path to 3-K for All in School Districts 7 (South Bronx) and 23 (Brownsville). We will continue the expansion with six additional districts by the fall of 2020, for a total of eight districts. Our goal is to partner with state and federal leadership to bring 3-K to every community school district in New York City.
We will offer 3-K for All in multiple settings, just as we have done in Pre-K for All: DOE District Schools and New York City Early Education Centers or NYCEECS (sometimes also referred to as community based organizations or “CBO’s”), including EarlyLearn sites.
Benefits of 3-K for All
Free, full-day, high-quality 3-K for All programs provide a unique opportunity for learning that will prepare your child for future success in school and in life. 85 percent of brain growth in children occurs by the age of five. Participating in 3-K for All and Pre-K for All programs provides your child with experiences that lay an important foundation for future learning. Research shows that 2 years of high-quality preschool provides children with stronger math, reading, language and social-emotional skills going into elementary school.
3-K for All classrooms are full of inquiry, discovery, learning and joy. Teaching staff support and encourage your child to explore the classroom, learn daily classroom routines and express feelings and ideas in a safe environment. 3-K for All children are active learners who develop language and knowledge of the world through positive interactions with adults and each other, and through hands-on learning and play. Your child will have daily opportunities to build on his or her current knowledge by engaging with materials and concepts in learning centers such as blocks/construction, science/discovery, art and dramatic play. Our programs welcome the opportunity to partner with you and your family to ensure that your child has a successful year in 3-K.
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Interested in 3-K for All?
Families interested in learning more about 3-K for All may visit
nyc.gov/3K or call 311 for more information.