Applications for pre-kindergarten will be available starting March 7 and are due by April 9, according to the Department of Education website.  Any child who turns four in 2011 may apply, but seats are not guaranteed. Programs are housed in public schools or at  community-based organizations, and are either half day ( 2.5 hours), or full day,  (six hours and 20 minutes.)

The pre-kindergarten admissions period begins just after kindergarten applications are due, on March 4. No details, other than the dates, have been announced yet but if the process works as it has in previous years, families may apply to a number of schools on one application, ranking schools by order of preference. Priority in admissions goes to families who live in the school zone and have a sibling enrolled in the school.

How do you find out which schools and community organizations offer programs? A directory, including an application, will be posted online and available at schools and in borough enrollment offices. We'll post more information as we get it.