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

Online

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

Visit the MySchools website.

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

Find a pre-K program.

By Phone

You can apply for:

• Full-day programs at District Schools, 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

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.

Get Pre-K enrollment information.

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

Visit the District 1 Family Resource Center Website.

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

Get Pre-K enrollment information.

By Phone

You can attend a virtual information session if you don’t have a 3-K, Pre-K or Kindergarten offer yet for your child or have recently moved and need a new school or program. 

Information session topics include:

• How to learn about schools and programs
• How to add yourself to programs’ waitlists
• How waitlists work and how to navigate them in Myschools
• How to accept waitlist offers

The sessions will take place on: 

• July 14 from 11 AM to 12 PM (Interpretation will be provided in Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish)
• July 28 from 2 PM to 3 PM (Interpretation will be provided in Bangla, Mandarin and Spanish)
• August 11 from 1 PM to 2 PM (Interpretation will be provided in Mandarin, Spanish and Urdu)
• August 25 from 5 PM to 6 PM (Interpretation will be provided in Haitian-Creole, Korean and Russian)
• August 31 from 1 PM to 2 PM (Interpretation will be provided in Arabic, Bangla and French)

No registration is required to join. 

Learn more about virtual information sessions for:

• 3-K
• Pre-K
• Kindergarten

Further Assistance

You can get more information and assistance.

By Email

ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov

By Phone