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. 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 2024-2025 school year between January 10, 2024 to March 1, 2024.
• 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).

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  Related

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

  Call 311

  Ask for Pre-K For All.

  2. Determine your eligibility

  All NYC children born in 2020 can enroll for the 2024-2025 school year. This includes children with disabilities or who are learning English.

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

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  3. How to apply

  Apply on MySchools from January 10, 2024 to March 1, 2024. 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.

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

  • Apply from January 10, 2024 to March 1, 2024.
  • Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.

  Apply in person

  Apply at a Family Welcome Center from January 10, 2024 to March 1, 2024.

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

  Call 311

  Ask for Pre-K For All.

  Last Updated August 20, 2024

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