¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø

During the application period, you can apply for full day pre-K programs:

Online

You can apply with your My¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇøs account. If you apply online, you will receive an email receipt that acts as your confirmation.

Family Welcome Centers are also providing assistance online. 

By Phone

To apply for half-day and 5-hour programs at Early Education Centers, you must contact the program directly. You can't apply for these programs using the DOE Pre-K Application.

Online

By Phone

You can apply for:

• Full-day programs at District ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇøs, Pre-K Centers, and NYC Early Education Centers
• Half-day and 5-hour programs at NYC Early Education Centers

You should contact programs directly for specific program information, including schedules, extended hours, and information on summer availability.

Online

When applying for Pre-K, some schools may offer more than one seat type. If a school has more than one seat type, you can list one or all of them on your application. 

¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø Day Seats

¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø Day Seats are open to all NYC children born in 2021. These seats are free and provide early care and education for 6 hours and 20 minutes per day during the school year. 

This seat type is offered at:

• NYC Early Education Centers
• District ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇøs
• Pre-K Centers

Some schools offer early drop off and/or late pick up. Use the “Need Before or After ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø Care?” filter on the Pre-K Directory to look up these options. There may be a fee for these services.

Extended Day and Year Seats

Extended Day and Year Seats are only open to eligible students. These seats are free or low cost and provide up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round, including the summer.

Eligibility for Extended Day and Year seats is based on family income and needs and is confirmed by completing a 

This seat type is offered at NYC Early Education Centers.

Head Start Seats

Head Start Seats are only open to eligible students. These seats are free and provide up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round, including the summer. 

Eligibility for Head Start is based on family income and needs. The school will work directly with you to confirm eligibility. 

This type of seat is offered at NYC Early Education Centers.

Eligibility

To be eligible for pre-K, a child must be:

• A New York City resident
• 4 years old by December 31 of the year of enrollment

Admissions Priorities and Regulations

Full Day Programs

Admissions are managed by the Department of Education's Office of Student Enrollment. Admissions are not based on a first-come, first-served basis, but instead follow the admissions priorities listed in the Pre-K Finder.

Half Day and 5 Hour Programs

Admission priorities vary by program. Applying to half-day or 5-hour programs does not affect pre-K admissions to full-day programs.

You can get detailed information about admissions priorities and regulations in the Pre-K Admissions Guide online.

What to Bring to Register

To register your child for school, you must bring:

• Two proofs of address
• Proof of the child's age, such as a birth certificate, passport, or record of baptism
• Your child's immunization records
• Latest report card/transcript (if available)
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or 504 Accommodation Plan (if applicable and available)

All children under the age of 5 years (6-59 months) are required to receive the flu shot if they attend a New York City regulated preschool or child care center. Visit the Flu Shot and Prevention page to learn more.

Proof of Address

Bring two of the following to prove your address:

• Income tax form for the last calendar year
• State, City, or other government-issued identification (including an IDNYC card) which isn't expired, and includes the address of residence
• Official NYS Driver License, Non-Driver ID card, or learner permit which isn't expired, and includes the address of residence
• A rent receipt, which includes the address of residence, dated within the past 60 days
• A residential utility bill (gas or electric) issued by National Grid, Con Edison, or the Long Island Power Authority dated within the past 60 days
• Water bill for the residence dated within the past 90 days
• A cable bill for the residence, which includes the name of the parent and the address of residence, dated within the past 60 days
• Documentation or a letter on letterhead from a federal, state, or local government agency dated within the past 60 days that includes the resident's name and address. Examples of agencies include:
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
  • The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement
  • Human Resources Administration (HRA)
  • Administration for Children's Services (ACS) or an ACS subcontractor
• A lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence
• A current property tax bill for the residence
• Official payroll documentation from an employer issued within the past 60 days that includes the home address, A letter on the employer's letterhead isn't adequate. Examples include:
  • Paystub with home address
  • Form submitted for tax withholding purposes
  • Payroll receipt
• Voter registration documents that include the name of the parent and the address of residence
• Unexpired membership document based upon residency, such as neighborhood residents' association, which includes the name of the parent and the address of residence
• Evidence of custody of the child, including judicial custody orders or guardianship papers issued within the past 60 days that includes the name of the student and the home address

If you would like to transfer a Pre-K student to a different program, contact that new program. You will be able to determine if there are seats available and whether the school has any enrollment restrictions.

As part of the Diversity in Admissions initiative, District 1 offers a Family Resource Center (FRC) to help families navigate the pre-K and Kindergarten admissions processes. Services are open to families from any district.

The FRC provides:

• Information about individual District 1 pre-K and Kindergarten programs
• Help completing applications
• Support for families of students with disabilities, including information about the services available at each District 1 school
• Help accessing community and social services
• Events and forums for parents, schools, and the community

The FRC is located inside P.S. 20 Anna Silver at 166 Essex Street, Room 126. It is open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

You can get more information about the Family Resource Center:

Online

By Email

District1NYC@gmail.com

By Phone

The Department of Education accepts complaints about pre-kindergarten programs in New York City, including complaints about universal pre-kindergarten facilities, hours, safety, and workers.

You can get more information about Pre-K and help with enrollment online or by phone.

Online

You can visit the Pre-K website to:

• Get the Pre-K Admissions Guide
• Find open houses
• Sign up for email alerts
• Request a phone call

By Phone