The 3-K and Pre-K Applications for Fall 2025 are Open!
Is your child turning three or four years old in 2025?
Great news: New York City’s 2024 3-K and Pre-K applications are open!
Beginning Wednesday, January 15, 2025, NYC families with children born in 2022 and 2021 can apply to the City's free 3-K and Pre-K programs, respectively, for the 2025–2026 school year.
With hundreds of school options available across the five boroughs, we know that applying to NYC's early childhood education programs can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, especially for first and even second-time applicants.
Photo by Yan Krukau. Accessed via Pexels
Fortunately, you can help make your application process a bit easier for you and your family by using the following tips and tools!
- Visit our Sign Up page and enter your email address to get the latest alerts, updates, and reminders about NYC Public Schools, including admissions events, sent directly to your inbox.
- Review our 3-K and Pre-K webpages thoroughly—each admissions process has key differences that you should know, especially if you’re applying at the same time on behalf of children in both grade levels. Our website will have the most up-to-date information about admissions at any given time.
- Both webpages also include two useful resources:
- Our Elementary Admissions Video Series for 3-K and Pre-K: embedded near the top of both our 3-K and Pre-K pages, these videos will walk you through the steps involved at each stage of our application processes, including creating a MySchools account, searching for programs, and submitting your application.
- The 2025 NYC Public Schools Admissions Guide is at the bottom of both webpages. Available in 10 languages, this book provides an overview of NYC's public school admissions processes, including early childhood programs, and related resources.
- Our Elementary Admissions Video Series for 3-K and Pre-K: embedded near the top of both our 3-K and Pre-K pages, these videos will walk you through the steps involved at each stage of our application processes, including creating a MySchools account, searching for programs, and submitting your application.
- Get to know MySchools, which will be your main tool for exploring and applying to early childhood programs. Through MySchools, you can:
- Discover and explore 3-K and Pre-K programs available to you. Use filters to narrow your search to find the best fit for your child and family.
- Find and register for in-person and virtual events listed in the MySchools events calendar, including open houses and information sessions. There are events in all five boroughs, and they are scheduled at various times to accommodate family needs.
- Finalize your choices and submit your child’s application! If you need to make changes, you have until 11:59PM on Friday, February 28, 2025 to update and re-submit your application. Please note that only your last and final application will be used.
- Cue the confetti (literally, you’ll see this once you hit the “Send” button!)
We hope these websites and resources can help make this year's 3-K and Pre-K application processes smooth for you and your family! On behalf of NYC Public Schools, we wish all our participating families a smooth application period!
