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Free Pre-K for four-year-olds

Pre-K | NYC Public Schools

Apply for Pre-K

How it Works

Pre-K programs help children get a strong start in school and life. Your child can learn to problem-solve, ask questions, and explore the world around them in a safe, nurturing learning community.

  • Apply to pre-K for the 2025-2026 school year between January 15, 2025 to February 28, 2025.
  • In New York City, children begin pre-K in the calendar year they turn four.
  • Pre-K programs offer Full day, Extended Day and Year and Head Start seat types, each with their own eligibility requirements. Learn more.
  • Pre-K programs are offered throughout the five boroughs in three settings. Each setting offers a consistent DOE high-quality, play-based curriculum. Settings might be:
    • select public elementary schools,
    • Pre-K centers run by NYCDOE staff, and
    • community-based organizations (CBOs).

Determine your eligibility

All NYC children born in 2021 can enroll for the 2025-2026 school year. This includes children with disabilities or who are learning English.

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


What you need to include

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 online

Apply on MySchools from January 15, 2025 to February 28, 2025. 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

Apply by phone

Enroll over the phone by calling 718-935-2009.

  • Apply from January 15, 2025 to February 28, 2025.
  • Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.

More information

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 14, 2025