Pre-k acceptance letters are going out today via email and regular mail, and pre-registration runs from June 12 - 22. Getting a seat in a full-day program can save thousands of dollars in child care costs. It can also provide a great mix of play and learning. If you didn't get into the program you wanted - or any program - you have some options.

The first step is to call the school on June 18 and ask to be placed on the pre-k waitlist. If they say they don't have one, keep calling or email ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov. All schools should keep waitlists starting June 18.

As spots open up, they will be given out through a lottery, with preference first to zoned students with a sibling in the school, then to zoned students and then to students with a sibling who lives in the district.

Note: only children in the three categories listed above will be offered open seats before September 21. In other words, if you are trying to get into a school that you are not zoned for and have no other child attending, you will not be offered a spot until Sept. 21, even if there are empty seats. Those slots are being saved for zoned and kids with in-district siblings, until Sept. 21.

The waitlist rules are slightly different for Manhattan's District 1, which has no zoned schools, and for "choice" schools that don't have zones. In that case, call the school directly to ask how the waitlist works.

There are also plenty of community-based organizations that run pre-k programs at no cost. Below is contact information for the these programs by borough.

Bronx/Manhattan: Trisia Carter, 718-741-3963 or email TCarter2@schools.nyc.gov

Brooklyn/Staten Island: Christopher McKay, 718-643-1173 or email CMcKay@schools.nyc.gov

Queens: Richard Switach, 718-642-5803 or email RSwitac@schools.nyc.gov