Pre-K for All – ACCESS NYC

Q: How does Pre-K work?

Apply by February 27, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year. When can my child start? Children can begin pre-K in the calendar year they turn four. This year, all kids born in 2022 are eligible. What seat types are available? Programs offer Full Day, Extended Day and Year, and Head Start seats. Each type has different eligibility requirements . Where are programs located? Pre-K programs are available across all five boroughs in three settings: Select public elementary schools Pre-K centers run by NYCDOE staff Community-based organizations (CBOs) All settings provide the same high-quality, play-based DOE curriculum.

Q: How do I Apply to Pre-K?

Apply on MySchools from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026. You can apply in English, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, or Urdu. You can also find half-day pre-K programs in MySchools. Call 718-935-2009 to apply from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026. Apply at a Family Welcome Center from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026.

How it works

Pre-K gives your child a strong start through play-based learning. Children develop problem-solving skills, ask questions, and explore in a safe, nurturing environment.

Apply by February 27, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year.

When can my child start? Children can begin pre-K in the calendar year they turn four. This year, all kids born in 2022 are eligible.

What seat types are available? Programs offer Full Day, Extended Day and Year, and Head Start seats. Each type has different eligibility requirements.

Where are programs located? Pre-K programs are available across all five boroughs in three settings:

Select public elementary schools
Pre-K centers run by NYCDOE staff
Community-based organizations (CBOs)

All settings provide the same high-quality, play-based DOE curriculum.

Eligibility requirements

All NYC children born in 2022 can enroll for the upcoming school year. This includes children with disabilities and new English speakers.

Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend pre-K.

Required documents

View the pre-registration checklist to learn more about the documents you need to pre-register your child and accept their Pre-K offer.

How to apply

Apply on MySchools from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026. You can apply in English, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, or Urdu.

You can also find half-day pre-K programs in MySchools.

Apply for Pre-K

Call 718-935-2009 to apply from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026.

Apply at a Family Welcome Center from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026.

Get help

Visit the website

Visit the NYC DOE Pre-K website to learn more about the pre-K admissions process.

Email Pre-K admissions

Email [email protected] if you have questions about getting into pre-K.

Call 311

Ask for Pre-K For All.

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Last Updated January 23, 2026

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Free Pre-K for four-year-olds

Pre-K | NYC Public Schools

How it works

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Eligibility requirements

Required documents

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