Pre-Kindergarten

 

 Pre-Kindergarten Admissions
Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten Admissions!
Families who submitted a public school pre-k application by the April 5 deadline were mailed a decision letter on Monday, June 3. Families who applied online were sent an email notification on June 4.Translated versions of letters are available here.

Families can still apply to free community-based organization (CBO) pre-k programs, which have no specific application deadline.  For more information about how to apply to CBO programs, see below. 

The Basics 
New York City children who turn 4 years old in 2013 are eligible to attend pre-k for the 2013-2014 school year.

Pre-k is free. Families do not have to pay to attend programs offered by the NYC Department of Education.

Programs can be half-day (2 hours and 30 minutes) or full day (6 hours and 20 minutes). Half-day programs may take place in the morning or afternoon.

Programs are available at public schools and community-based organizations (CBOs). There are separate application processes for public schools and CBOs.

Pre-K Options: Public Schools and Community-Based Organizations
Public School Pre-K Programs
  • Families who submitted an application by the April 5 deadline were mailed a decision letter on Monday, June 3. Families who applied online were notified by email on June 4.
  • The pre-registration period is from June 5 - June 19, 2013. If families wish to accept an offer, they must pre-register at the school by June 19, 2013, or they will forfeit the offer.
  • Starting on Wednesday, June 12, families may contact schools to get on a waitlist.  Starting on Thursday, June 20, schools with available seats will make offers based on the same admissions priorities used during the main offer period. 
  • For a list of public school pre-k programs with seats available after the main offer period, click here.
Community Based Organization (CBO) Pre-K Programs
  • CBO's are independent groups that contract with the Department of Education  to provide free pre-k programs and other services to families.
  • Families can still apply to CBO pre-k programs, which have no specific application deadline.  To apply, deliver the CBO application directly to each CBO site for which you want to apply.
  • Admissions criteria vary by CBO. Most CBOs admit students on a first-come, first served basis.
  • For guidance on how to find and select a CBO program that is a good fit for our family, click here.
Pre-Kindergarten Directory 
The 2013- 2014 Pre-K Directory is now available. This handbook provides detailed information about the admissions process and will help you to explore the pre-k program options available for your child.

Students with Disabilities 
For information about pre-k admissions for students who require special services, please visit this page.

More Information 
Email Updates: Sign up to receive email updates about pre-k admissions.

Questions?
If you have questions about pre-k admissions, please call (718) 935-2009 or email ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

For information about what your child will learn in pre-k, please visit the Office of Early Childhood Education page