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3-K
Early education for three-year-olds
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What this program is
3-K offers free, full-day early childhood education for three-year-olds.
Who can get it
All New York City families with children born in 2023 can apply for the upcoming school year. This includes children with disabilities (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-needs/students-with-disabilities) or 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 3-K.
Heads up
- Apply from January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year.
- When can my child start? Children can apply to 3-K in the calendar year they turn three.
- How do I find programs? Use MySchools (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/) to search for and learn about 3-K options. Your child gets priority for programs in your home district.
- What seat types are available? Programs offer Full Day, Extended Day and Year, and Head Start seats.
- Where are programs located? 3-K programs are available across all five boroughs. Settings include public schools, NYCDOE-run centers, and community-based organizations. All programs use the same high-quality, play-based DOE curriculum.
How to apply
Apply for 3-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 3-K programs with an extended day and year, including Head Start. Eligibility is based on income and needs.
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.
After you apply, you can make changes to your application before the deadline.
By phone
Call 718-935-2009 to apply between January 14, 2026 to February 27, 2026. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.
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 3-K offer.
Get help
- Visit the 3-K website (http://nyc.gov/3k) to find out more information.
- Call 311 if you have questions about 3-K.
- Email 3-K admissions at es_enrollment@schools.nyc.gov if you have questions about 3-K.
Visit the website
Visit the 3-K website (http://nyc.gov/3k) to find out more information.
Call 311
Ask about "3-K"
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: P085en · S2R085
WayMakr shows only what this source publishes. Program details are not attached to specific facility listings unless a relationship has been verified.