Early education for three-year-olds
3-K | NYC Department of Education (DOE)
1. How it Works
3-K provides free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for three-year-olds.
Apply to 3-K between January 10 – March 1,2024 for the 2024-2025 school year.
In New York City, you can apply to 3-K in the calendar year that your child turns three.
3-K programs are offered throughout NYC.
Use MySchools to search for and learn about 3-K options.
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 different settings. Each setting offers a consistent DOE high-quality, play-based curriculum.
2. Determine your eligibility
All New York City families with children born in 2021 can enroll for the 2024-2025 school year. This includes children with disabilities or who are learning English.
Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend 3-K.
3. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Apply on MySchools between January 10 – March 1, 2024. 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 by phone
Enroll over the phone by calling 718-935-2009.
Apply between January 10 – March 1, 2024.
Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.
Apply in person
Apply at a Family Welcome Center between January 10 – March 1, 2024.