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Child Care

Free Pre-K for four-year-olds

Pre-K for All (Pre-K) | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

1. How it Works

Pre-K programs help children get a strong start in school and life. Children learn to problem-solve, ask questions, and explore the world around them. Pre-K programs provide children across NYC with a safe, nurturing learning community.

  • Apply to pre-K for the 2022-2023 school year by March 18, 2022.
  • 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. Learn more.
  • Pre-K programs are offered in some public elementary schools, Pre-K centers that are run by NYCDOE staff, and at community-based organizations. Each setting offers a consistent DOE high-quality, play-based curriculum.

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

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2. Determine your eligibility

  • All NYC families with children born in 2018 can enroll for the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Children with disabilities attend Pre-K for All programs. Learn more.

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

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. How to Apply

3. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply online

  • Apply on MySchools by March 18, 2022.
    • 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 and charter school pre-K programs in MySchools.

Apply for Pre-K

Apply by phone

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More ways to get help with this program

Visit the website

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

Email Pre-K admissions

Email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov if you have questions about getting into pre-K.

Call 311

Ask for Pre-K For All.

Call Pre-K admissions

Call 718-935-2009 if you have questions about enrolling in pre-K.

Visit a Family Welcome Center

Visit a Family Welcome Center to learn more about pre-K programs.

Last Updated Thursday, August 4th, 10:01am

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