Free early childhood education for children of student-parents
Living for the Young Family Through Education (LYFE) | NYC Department of Education (DOE)
1. How it Works
Parents who are students can get free early childhood education for their young kids though LYFE. LYFE also provides counseling, referral services, and advocacy to help parents achieve their educational and parenting goals.
Services are free to all eligible families, regardless of immigration status.
LYFE’s services also include:
Counseling and referral services for parents.
Helping student-parents graduate from high school or complete high school equivalency.
There are over 30 LYFE locations in the five boroughs.
LYFE is a NYC Department of Education program with certified teachers, trained paraprofessionals, and licensed social workers at each site.
2. Determine your eligibility
You may be eligible for LYFE if you answer yes to the following questions:
Are you enrolled in or eligible to enroll in an NYC Department of Education school or program?
Is your child between 6 weeks and 4 years old, and not age-eligible for Pre-K for All?
3. What you need to include
Proof of your child’s age
A current copy of your child’s immunization records
A Child & Adolescent Health Examination Form for your child
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Download the LYFE Enrollment Packet (English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Haitian-Creole).
Email completed forms to lyfe@schools.nyc.gov
Apply by mail
Complete the LYFE Enrollment Packet (English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Haitian-Creole)
Mail it to:
LYFE Central Office
500 Eighth Avenue, Suite 709
New York, New York 10018
Apply in person
Complete the LYFE Enrollment Packet (English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Haitian-Creole).
Visit LYFE’s Central Office or LYFE sites to enroll.
You can meet the LYFE team at LYFE sites to tour a classroom and learn about daily routines.
The LYFE team will schedule an orientation appointment with you to review your enrollment documents and get to know you and your family.