DOE officials announced yesterday that applications for pre-K will be available on March 6th, online as well as on paper, for New York City parents. Children who will celebrate their fourth birthday in 2009 are eligible to apply, and directories will be on hand (also starting the 6th) at local elementary schools, borough enrollment offices, and community-based organizations. (See more here.)

The deadline for submission is April 3d, and the DOE says that they'll notify families of placement offers on May 18. As was the case last year, siblings of current elementary-school students have priority enrollment at their sibling's school, provided that school is ranked first on the pre-K application. New this year, though, is the online application process, which will include a confirmation email sent by DOE to assure parents their application has been received.

Starting March 3rd, DOE representatives from the office of enrollment and early-childhood education will host a series of 11 evening information sessions citywide. And eager parents, take a note: the DOE says each session will cover the same basic info, so there's no need to attend multiple meetings.