How to Enroll
New York City provides free public education beginning at age 2.
Every 4-year-old is guaranteed a spot in pre-kindergarten (pre-K), but not necessarily at the school they prefer. Some very popular schools may have hundreds of applicants for a handful of seats. Siblings of children already enrolled are first in line and sometimes fill all those seats.
Programs for 3-year-olds, called 3-K, are available in all 32 NYC public school districts, though seats are more limited in some districts than others and applicants may not get a spot near home. Every eligible NYC family who applies for 3-K by the deadline is promised a 3-K seat.
New York City also has a free program for 2-year-olds. It’s called (you guessed it) 2-K. It launched in 2026 in districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27 – including Washington Heights, Fordham, Canarsie, Brownsville and the Rockaways – and is expected to expand over time. Anyone can apply but families in the listed districts get first priority. There are not enough seats for every child who applies.
The 3-K and pre-K applications for a spot in September 2027 open on January 13, 2027. Apply by February 26, 2027.
The 2-K application is likely to open some time in Spring 2027.
Program options for 2-K, 3-K and pre-K vary by neighborhood. Check MySchools to see what is available near you.
Who may attend
Children must reside in New York City to be eligible for 2–K, 3-K and pre-K.
Pre-K
Any child who turns 4 before Dec. 31 is eligible for pre-K that year. A child with a fall birthday may start school in September while still 3.
Most children attend pre-K for 6 hours and 20 minutes a day, 180 days a year. Each class has two adults and up to 18 children.
3-K
Children who turn 3 before Dec. 31 may apply for 3-K. The school day and year are the same as for pre-K. Children do not have to be toilet trained. Each class has two adults and up to 15 children.
2-K
Children who are eligible for 2-K may apply the year they turn 2. They do not have to be toilet trained
How to apply
Start with MySchools. You can apply online for 2-K, 3-K and pre-K, by calling (718) 935-2009 or visiting a Family Welcome Center. Interpretation is available in many languages.
Applications are not first-come, first-served. Every application submitted by the deadline will get the same consideration.
When completing your application, list your choices in the order you really want them. Apply to several programs since some have many more applicants than seats. It is ok to apply to a program where space is tight, but make sure to apply to some programs with less demand.
While looking at 3-K and pre-K programs, pay attention to the seat type offers. Some programs follow a school-year schedule, while others offer 8-10 hours of care year-round, including summer. Who qualifies can vary.
If you don’t get your first choice, you will be placed on a waitlist for programs you ranked higher on the application. Be patient. Seats sometimes open later in the summer or fall.
Once your child gets an offer, accept it and follow the program’s instructions to register. You will need documents such as proof of your child’s age, immunization records and proof of NYC residence. You do not need a green card or social security number for your child to apply.
If you miss the first deadline, or move to the city after the application process is complete, contact a Family Welcome Center, or (718) 935-2009. You may also join waitlists.
Note: For all early childhood options, see NYC Public Schools’ detailed guidance for students with disabilities, accessibility needs, and children learning English.
What to Look For
Choosing a pre-k requires research. We’ve produced the video above as well as these tips to help you.
First, consider whether you prefer a pre-k in a public school—typically open from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm for 180 days a year—or one housed in a community organization or childcare center. Some of these are open year-round from 8 am to 6 pm.
We found that public schools that are solid overall tend to have good pre-k classes. But we also found that some schools have terrific pre-k classes, even if the rest of the school isn't great. Many have bathrooms right in the classroom, playgrounds just for the little kids, and experienced teachers.
It’s a good idea to visit schools before you fill out your application. Most schools give tours. Be cautious of those that don’t. You want a school that’s welcoming to parents.
Location
Close to home is best. Little kids tire easily, and a long commute to school will be difficult, particularly in the winter. Still, some parents find good programs near their work, or near a relative or babysitter who can pick up their children after school.
Safety
Look for signs of attention and care, and watch out for neglect—dusty shelves, torn books, and dying plants. Is there a fenced-in playground and a front door greeter? Look for a bathroom in the room or no more than three doors away. Check for exposed extension cords and outlets. You can find information on safety and cleanliness by checking out the inspection history of pre-k sites online.
Teacher effectiveness
A good pre-k teacher should be talking to kids and listening to them, repeating back words and using full sentences—upping the ante when it comes to language. They should be able to maintain a predictable routine to help kids feel safe and secure. In pre-k, children need to learn to get along with other children and to follow classroom routines.
The parents
You can tell a lot from the moment you step inside a building. Does someone greet you? Is there information for parents on display, and a place to sit and wait? Parents should be invited to take part in the life of the school, whether it's attending an event, taking care of the class pet over the holiday, or volunteering to read to the class.
The principal
You want someone who is approachable and easy-to-find, not hidden behind a door. A strong leader brings out the best in each member of the school community. The principal or director should either know something about early childhood or be in communication with an expert in the building.
Children’s work
Look for children's work on display, not decorations made by the teacher. Ideally, the work should show individual creativity. You don't want to see lots of fill-in-the-blank worksheets, but kids may be beginning to draw, write letters or sound out words and label their pictures. Are there science explorations—like drawings of leaves or a graph to show how many seeds are in an apple?
An exciting, orderly classroom
Good pre-k's have fun-to-read books and objects organized in baskets on shelves to help children investigate patterns, numbers and shapes. Look for classrooms with live animals, LEGOs, water tables, plants and fish tanks to spark curiosity. Tables and rugs give kids choices of where to work. Children this age need opportunities to talk to one another and to grown-ups—more than they need pencil and paper exercises. They should create their own stories in their own words in a dress-up corner or a play kitchen. They should learn words like “bigger” and “smaller” and “above” and “below” when they build towers in the block corner.
A well-balanced day
Often you will see a schedule of the day posted on the wall. Look for a routine with a mix of active and quiet activities. There should be a time to rest in full-day programs but not enforced naptime. Kids need time to play outside every day, and time to explore, often called "choice" or "center" time. All pre-k children eat lunch in the classroom, "family style," where they can chat with friends and practice good manners.
Opportunities to be independent
Good teachers foster independence. They help kids learn to hang up their own coats, prepare and serve breakfast or lunch, clean up after themselves, and put on their own shoes. Good pre-k's often label objects so kids can begin to pair objects and words, and provide them with step-by-step pictures for procedures like hand washing, to instill good habits and pride in accomplishment.
Your Options
Pre-K and 3-K may be in a public elementary school, a Pre-K Center, or a community-based program that partners with NYC Public Schools. These settings can feel quite different, so look beyond the name of the program when choosing.
NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEEC’s) are community-based programs, including child-care centers and private or religious schools, that partner with NYC Public Schools. Some offer longer hours or year-round care; check whether additional hours are free, subsidized or paid.
Pre-K Centers are run by NYCPS and serve only young children, rather than older elementary-school grades. It means everyone in the building is focused on young kids, which can be helpful for parents and guardians.
Charter Schools offer pre-K at some schools, but they have a separate admissions process. Kids get in by lottery.
Family Child Care provides 2-K in a licensed provider’s home. Some 2-K programs are year-round, including summer, and offer longer hours. Others are from September to June, like regular public schools. Check each program’s schedule. Look for programs labeled Extended Day and Year (EDY) or City Transitional seats if you need more care.
Tip: Use InsideSchools to check the quality of public elementary schools that offer pre-K and visit MySchools to learn more about 2-K and 3-K, but call or visit programs before putting them on your list. Ask about the daily schedule, summer/holiday coverage, the length of the school day, meals, and anything else that matters to your family. Calendar schedules can differ for NYCEECs and other non-NYC Public School programs.
