Pre-Kindergarten

Learn About Pre-K Quality

Understand quality at each pre-K program in New York City.

Find Pre-K Programs

Use the Pre-K Directory or Pre-K Finder to learn about admissions and explore programs. Available in ten languages.

Know the Benefits of Pre-K For All

Learn how early childhood education prepares your child for success in school and life.

Get Help from an Enrollment Specialist

Fill out the Get-in-Touch Form on Pre-K Finder if you have questions about applying to pre-K.

Sign Up for Pre-K Reminders!

Subscribe to our Pre-K Admissions email list and don’t miss the March 30, 2018 application deadline.

Pre-K Admissions Overview

In free,  full-day, high-quality pre-K, children  are in a safe learning environment with opportunities to participate in engaging activities and interact with other children and teaching staff. Studies show that early childhood education improves performance throughout a child’s school experience. Learn more about how your child benefits from Pre-K for All.

Who can apply to pre-K?

Families with children born in 2014
New York City residents
Students who move to NYC during the admissions process Get More Information >
Students with disabilities Get More Information >
Students whose home language is a language other than English. No program may deny admission, registration, or enrollment to a student based on the student’s fluency or perceived fluency in English.
Students in Temporary Housing can apply to pre-K even if their housing situation is uncertain. They do not need paperwork to apply to schools, accept an offer, or enroll in a school.

Pre-K resources are available in ten languages:

Find a Pre-K Program

Start exploring pre-K programs. Use the tools below to find programs that interest you:

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.

Email Updates
Get reminders about deadlines and useful information about admissions.

You can also go to Pre-K Admissions Events and Open Houses to explore your options. Get ready for your visit with the Pre-K Quality Snapshot.

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.  Families can choose from four types of settings for pre-K programs:

NYCDOE District Schools: Some public elementary schools offer pre-K programs.
NYCDOE Pre-K Centers: Unlike district schools, Pre-K Centers only offer grades before kindergarten.
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.

Apply to Pre-K

Main Round pre-K applications for the 2018-2019 school year were due on March 30 and Late Applications were due on May 2. If you applied late, you will be added to the waitlist for the programs listed on your application. Schools will contact you directly if they can offer you a seat, beginning in May.

If you did not yet apply to pre-K but would still like to find a seat, use Pre-K Finder to look for programs that may have seats available. You can get on a waitlist by calling the program directly, calling us at 718-935-2009, or visiting a Family Welcome Center. If a program has open seats and no waitlist, you will be able to pre-register immediately.

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 2018-2019 school year. This year, more schools will give priority to students who receive Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL), English Language Learners (ELLs), students in the child welfare system, and/or families impacted by incarceration. Pre-K programs will still make offers using standard admissions priorities. The schools participating in the pilot  initiative are: 

District 1 District Schools: The District 1 Diversity in Admissions pilot gives a priority to Students in Temporary Housing (STH), to students who home language is a language other than English, and to students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) for 67% of offers at every District 1 elementary school for kindergarten. Students who do not fall into any of these groups will get a priority for the remaining 33% of offers. We encourage families applying only to District 1 schools to list at least five District 1 programs on their application to increase the chances of receiving an offer to one of these schools.
Charrette School (02M003): Students who qualify for FRL will have priority for pre-K seats after all zoned students are admitted.
P.S. 452 (03M452): Students who qualify for FRL will be prioritized within their priority group, after all zoned students are admitted.
Ralph Bunch School (05M125): Students who qualify for FRL or who have a home language other than English will have priority for 60% of seats. Any seats remaining after FRL and home language other than English priority is given will be considered as part of the larger applicant pool.
Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) (06M348): Students who qualify for FRL and students in temporary housing (STH) will have priority for 75% of seats. Any seats remaining after FRL and STH priority is given will be considered as part of the larger applicant pool.
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.
Brooklyn Arts and Science Elementary School (17K705): Students who have a home language other than English and/or living in the 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.
Big Birds Playhouse (RAFF): Students who have a home language other than English will have priority after all current students are admitted.
Higher Level School (KCAD): Students who have a home language other than English will have priority for 20% of seats.
Little Scholars II (KCPE): Students who have a home language other than English will have priority after all current students are admitted.
Sugar Hill Museum Preschool (MBGU): Prioritize 50% of seats to students eligible for free/reduced lunch, who have a home language other than English and/or students in supportive housing.
Yearling Nursery School (XAZG): Prioritize 20% of seats for students who have a home language other than English.

Pre-K FAQs

I missed the Main Round Application, but completed a Late Application. What does this mean?
You have already been added to the waitlists of all of the programs you listed on your Late Application. If any of those programs has a seat, they will contact you directly, likely at the phone number you listed, as early as May 9. If you are not able to find a seat, we will be in touch to help.
Why do some programs have more eligibility requirements?
Some community-based NYCEEC pre-K programs have more eligibility requirements related to your household income, your address, government services you get, or your child care needs. NYCEECs with other eligibility requirements are listed in the Pre-K Directory.

To accept an offer to one of these programs, you may need to bring documentation that shows you are eligible to accept the offer, in addition to the required NYCDOE documents that you need to pre-register for pre-K.

These NYCEEC programs may be 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 for the additional services they provide (such as longer hours).

Call these programs for more details before listing them on your application.
Do pre-K 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 looking at the “Program Information” section for each program in the Pre-K Directory or Pre-K Finder. You don’t have to use extended hours and programs may charge fees—contact programs directly for more information.
How do I apply to half-day and 5-hour NYCEEC or charter school pre-K programs?
If you’re interested in half-day and 5-hour NYCEEC pre-K programs or charter school pre-K programs, please contact those programs directly to apply.
Is transportation provided for pre-K students?
No, the NYCDOE does not provide transportation for pre-K students with the exception of some students with disabilities.
Is pre-K offered for students with disabilities?
Yes. All New York City families with children born in 2014, including students with disabilities, can apply to pre-K programs for the 2018-2019 school year through the pre-k application process described in the Pre-K Directory. Learn more about pre-K for students with disabilities.
Are Dual Language pre-K programs available?
Yes. Some programs have a Dual Language option with instruction in two languages—half in English and half in the target language—with the goal of helping students become bilingual. Dual Language programs are listed 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 have Enhanced Language Support programs with supports for children whose home language is a language other than English. Enhanced Language Support programs are listed on Pre-K Finder.

Pre-Kindergarten