How to Apply: 3-K in New York City

In this article, you'll learn step by step how to access, complete, and submit an application for 3-K in New York City.

What is 3-K in New York City?

To be eligible for free 3-K for the next school year, a child must be a resident of New York City and turn three years old by December 31 of the year they enter 3-K.

If you do not currently have a provider and need to find one, visit the NYC Childcare Navigator.

There are three types of 3-K seats

Full Day: Seats that are free and provide early care education for 6 hours and 20 minutes a day during the school year, typically from September through June.

Extended Day and Year: Seats that are free or low cost and provide early care and education for up to 10 hours of care a day, year-round. Eligibility for these seats are based on family income and needs. Families that receive an offer will need to confirm eligibility by completing a Child Care application.

City Transitional (previously called Head Start): Seats that are free and provide up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round. Eligibility for these seats are based on family income and needs. Families that receive an offer will need to confirm eligibility by completing a Child Care application.

3-K admissions are managed by the DOE Office of Student Enrollment. Ranking programs is part of the application process. The order that a family ranks programs does not impact a student’s priority. The Office of Student Enrollment matches students to the highest ranked choice that was able to accommodate their priority group. Even if a student has sibling priority, it is not guaranteed that siblings will always be able to attend the same school.

Waitlist Placement

Families can place their child on a school's waitlist after the application deadline has passed or after the results of the application are made available. There are two ways a student can be added to a waitlist:

Parents can contact the school of interest directly to be added.

Parents can add their child directly through their MySchools account.

How do I apply my child for 3-K?

The application period for 3-K in New York City begins on January 15, 2025 and ends on February 28, 2025.

Step 1: Create an account on MySchools

Step 2: Add your child(ren) to the account

Step 3: Review the MySchools Directory to determine which programs interest you, and how you want to rank these programs. Make sure you write down the program code for each program you’d like to rank. The program code can be found by navigating to the directory, clicking on a program, and clicking “3-K School Day”. Scroll down all the way to the bottom. You can also select the star icon next to the program to “favorite” the program when your child’s application is open.

Step 4: Click the apply tab to begin listing your chosen programs on the application. You can rank up to 12 programs.

Step 5: Once your preferred order of programs is listed, click “Next”.

Step 6: Review all alerts before proceeding, once reviewed click “Let’s Continue”.

Step 7: If you are applying for twins, you MUST submit identical applications for the twins. When you do this, it means they will be considered for the same program AND receive identical offers.

Step 8: Submit your application!

If your child is eligible and you run into any difficulties with your application, please contact ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov

What happens after I submit my application?

After your application is submitted:

An application receipt will be emailed with the information from your application. This receipt will also be available on your MySchools dashboard.

If you want to update your application choices please do so in MySchools, however this must be completed on the website by the deadline.

Results for the application are released during the spring prior to school year

What happens if I miss the enrollment period for 3-K?

You can apply on MySchools for a waitlist spot. The waitlist period ends in September.

What do I do if I need care now?

You’ll need to navigate to the 3-K directory on MySchools to find programs with open seats. Make sure you are using the “need a seat” filter for the most accurate results. Families can contact programs of interest with open seats directly to coordinate securing a spot for their child.

How do I accept an offer for a 3-K Seat?

On the Dashboard, locate your child's name and click the View Application Results button.

If an offer is listed in the Offers section, this offer was given through the main round application process.

If an offer is listed in the Pending Waitlist Offers section, a school your student was on the waitlist for extended an offer.

You can decline a waitlist offer to keep your child in their current seat.

Any waitlist offer accepted will switch any original offer to decline and the waitlist offer to accept.

FAQs

Will my child have an opportunity to play and exercise?

For half day programs, children must have access to a space designated for physical activities for twenty minutes each day. For full-day programs, children must have access to a space designated for physical activities for at least one hour each day. Sites with an outdoor play space are marked in the Pre-K Directory. All other sites are expected to have an indoor play space or an outdoor play space within a two block radius.

What kind of meals will my child have in 3-K?

3-K programs are required to provide meals and snacks to students. Full-day programs must offer either breakfast and lunch or lunch and a healthy snack. Half day programs must offer at least one snack. Water is available throughout the day and at all meals, but does not count as one of the required meal components.

Will my child have an opportunity to take a nap or rest during 3-K?

All 3-K programs operating for longer than four hours must offer a regularly scheduled nap or rest time for students. Nap times should be adjusted based on the length of the program and the needs of a program’s students throughout the year. If most students do not nap and are not tired during the day, the rest period should be shortened. However, if most students are not ready to wake up at the end of naptime, this period may need to be extended.

My child isn't potty trained. Can they still attend 3-K?

Students can be at any point in toilet training and attend 3-k. Students cannot be denied registration in a school due to lack of toilet training. All staff are expected to assist students in using the bathroom, washing hands, and will help change diapers or help children after bathroom accidents, if necessary.

If you have any additional questions, or would like to chat with a Mirza Applications Specialist, please email support@heymirza.com.

Last updated May 1, 2026