3-K

Education | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

All New Yorkers regardless of immigration statusFamilies with childrenToddlerPre-Schooler

3-K offers free, full-day early childhood education for three-year-olds.

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.

Eligibility

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.

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.

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 (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-centers) . 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/) 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.

    Apply for 3-K

    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.

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