3-K

Education | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

Children (0-13)FamiliesImmigrantsNYCHA residentsStudentsToddlerPre-Schooler

3-K provides free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for three-year-olds.

Heads Up

  • Apply to 3-K for the 2023-2024 school year by March 10, 2023.
  • In New York City, you can apply to 3-K in the calendar year that your child turns three.
  • 3-K programs will be offered in 32 districts in Fall 2023.
  • Find your school district by using the School Search map tool (https://schoolsearch.schools.nyc/) or calling 311 (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/3k) .
  • You can apply to any school district across the city.
  • Your child has priority to attend 3-K programs in the district where you live.
  • Children can enroll in Full Day, Extended Day and Year, and Head Start seat types. Learn more.
  • 3-K programs are offered throughout the five boroughs in four 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
  • community-based organizations (CBOs)
  • home-based family child care centers

    • Eligibility

    All New York City families with children born in 2020 can enroll for the 2023-2024 school year.Children with disabilities (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-needs/students-with-disabilities) or who are learning English (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/meeting-student-needs/students-learning-english) can attend 3-K. Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend 3-K.

    Required Documents

    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. For translated copies of the checklist, view the Documents section of the 3-K for All enrollment page (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/3k) .

    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 (http://nyc.gov/prek) Monday-Friday between 8am and 6pm. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.
  • In-person at a Family Welcome Center.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/) by March 10, 2023. 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.

    Apply for 3-K

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Visit the 3-K website (http://nyc.gov/3k) to find out more information.
  • Call 311 (mailto:[email protected]) if you have questions about 3-K.
  • Email 3-K admissions at [email protected] if you have questions about 3-K.

    • Back to Top