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Pre-K
Free Pre-K for four-year-olds
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What this program is
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.
Who can get it
All NYC children born in 2022 can enroll for the upcoming school year. This includes children with disabilities (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-needs/students-with-disabilities) and new English speakers (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-needs/students-learning-english).
Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend pre-K.
Heads up
- 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 (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k).
- 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.
How to apply
Apply to Pre-K in one of these ways:
- Online with MySchools (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/). You can apply in English, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, or Urdu.
- By phone by calling 718-935-2009. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.
- In-person at a Family Welcome Center (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-centers).
Eligible families can also apply for free or low-cost pre-K programs with an extended day and year, including Head Start. Eligibility is based on income and needs.
You can also find half-day pre-K programs and charter school pre-K program (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-in-charter-schools/pre-k-charter-schools) in MySchools.
Online
Apply on MySchools (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/) 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.
By phone
Call 718-935-2009 to apply from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026.
In person
Apply at a Family Welcome Center (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-centers) from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026.
What to bring
View the pre-registration checklist (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/pre-registration-checklist)to learn more about the documents you need to pre-register your child and accept their Pre-K offer.
Get help
- Visit the NYC DOE Pre-K website (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k) to learn more about the pre-K admissions process.
- Email es_enrollment@schools.nyc.gov if you have questions about getting into pre-K.
Visit the website
Visit the NYC DOE Pre-K website (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k) to learn more about the pre-K admissions process.
Call 311
Ask for Pre-K For All.
Source and last updated
- Source
- NYC Benefits Platform (kvhd-5fmu) View dataset
- Agency
- NYC Department of Education (DOE)
- Updated
- Source: January 24, 2026 · Synced August 18, 2026
How we verified this
Source record ID: P016en · S2R016
WayMakr shows only what this source publishes. Program details are not attached to specific facility listings unless a relationship has been verified.