Pre-Kindergarten

Get Help from an Enrollment Specialist

Fill out the Get-in-Touch Form on Pre-K Finder if you have questions about your pre-K offer or you missed the deadline to apply to Pre-K for All.

Learn About Pre-K for All!

Hear from New York City families about their experiences with pre-K.

Interested in 3-K for All?

Learn about NYC’s path to offer free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for every child born in 2014.

With Pre-K for All, Opportunity Starts Now

In free, full-day, high-quality pre-K, teachers are sparking wonder and igniting learning in our children. Pre-K for All gives children stronger math and reading skills in elementary school and a better chance at success in life. Studies show that early childhood education improves performance throughout a child’s school experience.

In these high-quality programs, children are in a safe learning environment with opportunities to explore, create, and participate in engaging learning activities and to interact with other children and teaching staff. Programs build on the strengths and diverse backgrounds of children and families. In Pre-K for All, schools and programs partner with the DOE to support all learners in building strong foundations for success in school and beyond.

Pre-K for All runs five days per week from September to June. Most pre-K options are on a full-day schedule (6 hours and 20 minutes). Some half-day (2 hours and 30 minutes) options are also available.

Use the resources below to learn how the admissions process works and research your choices:

Pre-K resources are also available in translation:

Get Help Applying to Pre-K for All

Round 2 Admissions are now closed. The deadline to accept your Round 2 offer and pre-register for pre-K was June 28. If you missed the pre-registration deadline, contact the school where your child got an offer. Depending on seat availability, you will be able to pre-register and accept your offer. Learn what you need to bring to pre-register.

If you do not have a pre-K seat for the upcoming school year, fill out the Get-in-Touch Form and an enrollment specialist will call you to help you explore your options. You can also visit the New Students page for more information on how to enroll.

Find Pre-K for All Programs

Use the following resources to learn about all of your pre-K options:

Pre-K Finder: Use Pre-K Finder to explore pre-K programs, read the Pre-K Quality Snapshots, and get help from an enrollment specialist.
Pre-K Directory: Learn about the admissions process, including admissions priorities.
School Search: Find your zoned school to see the pre-K program near your where you live.

There are four types of pre-K program options:

NYCDOE Pre-K Centers: Programs led and operated by NYCDOE staff.
NYCDOE District Schools: Programs located within public elementary schools.
NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs): Programs offered by community-based organizations that contract with NYCDOE or the Administration for Children's Services (ACS).
Charter Schools: Public schools that operate independent of NYCDOE regulations.

Diversity in Pre-K for All Admissions

Elementary schools across the city were invited to participate in a pilot initiative to increase diversity within their schools for students applying this year to attend for the 2017-2018 school year. This year, 10 schools will give priority to students who receive Free Reduced Lunch (FRL), English Language Learners (ELLs), students in the child welfare system, and/or families impacted by incarceration. Pre-K offers will still be made using standard admissions priorities. These 10 schools participating in the pilot initiative are:

East Village Community School (01M315): Students who qualify for FRL or are ELLs will have priority for 50% of pre-K seats.

The Children’s Workshop School (01M361): Students who qualify for FRL or are ELLs will have priority for 50% of pre-K seats.

The Neighborhood School (01M363): Students who qualify for FRL or are ELLs will have priority for 50% of pre-kindergarten seats.

The Earth School (01M364): Students who qualify for FRL or are ELLs will have priority for 50% of pre-K seats.

Charrette School (02M003): Students who qualify for FRL will have priority for pre-K seats after all zoned students are admitted.

Castle Bridge School (06M513): Students who qualify for FRL will have priority for 50% of pre-K seats and 10% of seats will be prioritized for families impacted by incarceration.

Brooklyn New School (15K146): Students who qualify for FRL will have priority for pre-K seats after all zoned students are admitted.

The Children’s School (15K418): Students who qualify for FRL or are ELLs will have priority for 33% of pre-K seats.

Brooklyn Arts and Science Elementary School (17K705): Students who are ELLs and/or living in child welfare system will have priority for 20% of pre-K seats

New American Academy (17K770): Students who qualify for FRL will have priority for 40% of pre-K seats.

Pre-K FAQs

How do waitlists work?
If we are unable to make your child an offer to your first choice pre-K program, we will automatically place your child on the waitlist for any programs that you listed higher on your application than the program where you receive your offer.
However, your child will not be automatically added to the waitlist for programs that you listed lower than the program where you receive your offer. For example, if you receive an offer for the program you list third on your application, you will automatically be listed on the waitlist for your first and second choice programs.
If families leave one of your waitlisted programs and space becomes available for your child, the program will contact you directly. Programs and schools apply the same admissions priorities to waitlists that are used to determine offers. Families who live in a district school’s zone and don’t get an offer will be higher on the district school’s waitlist than families who live outside the zone.
What options do I have if I missed Round 2?
Fill out the Get-in-Touch Form and an enrollment specialist will call you to help you explore your options based on where you live and what seats are available to ensure that you find a program that best meets the needs of your family. Students may transfer to or newly enroll in pre-K classes at districts schools throughout the year, if seats are available. If you would like to be added to a waitlist, please contact the program directly.
What should I do if I still have questions about Pre-K for All Admissions?
Call us at 718-935-2009 or request a call from the Pre-K Outreach team by completing the online form on the Pre-K Finder.
Do Pre-K for All programs provide extended hours?
Some programs offer extended hours (such as early drop-off and/or late pick-up services) as an option for families. You can find out which programs offer these services by referring to the "Program Information" section for each program in the Pre-K Directory or Pre-K Finder. Please Note: Participating in extended hours is not mandatory and programs may charge fees—contact programs directly for more information.
Why do some programs have additional eligibility requirements?
Some NYCEEC pre-K programs have additional eligibility requirements related to your household income, your address, government services received, or your child care needs. NYCEECs with additional eligibility criteria are indicated in the program lists of the Pre-K Directory.
If you receive an offer to one of these programs, you may need to provide documentation verifying your eligibility in order to accept the offer in addition to the required NYCDOE documents necessary to pre-register for pre-K.
These NYCEEC programs also typically are able to provide free or low-cost extended day services to eligible families. While full-day pre-K is free and available to all NYC four-year-olds, some programs may require a co-pay due to the subsidized wrap-around services provided.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, call these programs to get additional details prior to listing them on your application.
Are Dual Language pre-K programs available?
Yes. Some programs provide a Dual Language option that offers instruction in two languages—half in English and half in the target language—with the aim of enabling students to become bilingual. Dual Language programs are indicated on Pre-K Finder. If you wish to apply to both the Dual Language and general education options at a program, you must list both options on your application.
Some NYCEECs provide Enhanced Language Support programs that offer additional supports for children whose home language is a language other than English. Enhanced Language Support programs are indicated on Pre-K Finder.
What if my address changed after I applied or after I received my offer?
You should contact the program where you received an offer to let them know about the change. Geography is part of the admissions priorities for district schools and Pre-K Centers—it does not factor into the admission priorities for NYCEECs. You should also contact any programs where you are waitlisted so they can update your information.
Do Pre-K for All programs serve students with disabilities?
All NYC families with children born in 2013, including students with disabilities, may apply to pre-K programs for the 2017-2018 school year. Many preschool students with disabilities can receive their special education services at a general education pre-K program. Some families will work with their local Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to identify a program that meets the needs of their child. If your child already has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), enrollment in a preschool program is based on the IEP recommendation. Click here to read more.

Pre-Kindergarten