How to Apply: Pre-K in New York City

This guide will help you access, understand and complete an application for Pre-K in New York City

What is Pre-K in New York City?

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

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

There are three types of Pre-K seats

School 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.

Pre-K programs are available in all districts but every district school may not offer a

Pre-K program. Some programs may offer more than one seat type. Families can list each program type on their application.

How do I apply to Pre-K?

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 “Pre-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

Only the child's parent or legal guardian can submit an application.

All applications received by the application deadline will be treated the same, according to admission priorities. Admission is NOT first come, first served.

Families may also apply to charter schools by contacting those schools directly.

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 Pre-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 Pre-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 a Pre-K Offer?

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

Please review the following information:

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 student in their current seat.

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

Families must accept their offer at the program where they receive an offer before the deadline. This secures their seat for September.

Parents must bring the required documentation in order to register.

What is the required documentation for Pre-K registration?

Proof of your child(ren) age. This can be their birth certificate, passport or record of baptism.

Immunization record(s), if available.

Your child(ren) most recent report card or transcript, if available.

Two (2) of the following to show proof of address:

Your lease, deed or mortgage statement for where you reside.

A utility bill, in your name, dated in the last 60 days. The utility bill should be a gas or electric bill from Con Edison or National Grid.

A water bill for your residence, dated within the past 90 days.

A bill for cable television service, that includes your name and your address, dated in the last 60 days.

A document on letterhead from a federal, state, or local government agency that includes your name and address and is also dated within the last 60 days. Government agency documents may come from agencies such as, but not limited to:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCSF)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The Human Resources Administration (HRA)

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS)

A current property tax bill for your residence.

A rent receipt, that includes your address of residence, dated within the past 60 days.

A non-expired and official New York State driver’s license, non-driver identification card, or a learner’s permit, which includes your current address.

State, city, or other government issued identification (including an IDNYC card), which has not expired, and includes your address of residence.

An income tax form for the last calendar year.

Official payroll documentation from your employer, that dated within the past 60 days. This can be a pay stub or a payroll receipt with your home address on it.

Voter registration documents, which includes your name and the address of residence.

Unexpired membership documents based upon residency (like a neighborhood residents’ association), which includes your name and address of residence.

Evidence of custody of your child, including custody orders or guardianship papers. These documents must have been issued within the past 60 days and must include the name of your student as well as your home address.

FAQs

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

Pre-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 Pre-K?

All pre-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 he/she still attend Pre-K?

Students can be at any point in toilet training and attend pre-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