Fall 2026 2-K Admissions Timeline
These dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced and communicated directly to families.
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- 2-K Application Opens
- 2-K Application Closes
- 2-K Offer Release
Who Can Apply for 2-K?
All NYC children born in 2024 can apply for fall 2026 admissions, including children with disabilities, children with accessibility needs, children learning English, and students in temporary housing. Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend 2-K.
Which Neighborhoods Have 2-K?
Families can apply to any program across NYC. However, children have priority to attend 2-K in the district they reside in and we make every effort to place students close to their home, based on seat availability. Find your school district by entering your address or calling 311.
For the fall 2026 launch, 2-K will be available in these school districts:
- District
Neighborhoods
- District 6
- Washington Heights
- Inwood
- Hamilton Heights
- District 10
- Fordham
- Belmont
- Norwood
- Morris Heights
- Van Cortlandt Village
- Kingsbridge
- District 18
- District 23
- District 27
- Ozone Park
- South Ozone Park
- Richmond Hill
- Woodhaven
- Howard Beach
- The Rockaways
What Are 2-K Program Settings?
There are two settings for 2-K. You can choose to apply to any setting. Each setting offers the same high-quality early care and learning to New York City's two-year-old children.
NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs)
These are community-based organizations (CBOs) with early childhood expertise. NYCEECs may include private schools, daycares, or other sites that partner with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) to provide 2-K.
Family Child Care (Home-Based Programs)
Home-based programs, also known as family child care programs, offer 2-K in a home setting by a licensed, qualified, child care provider. Family Child Care 2-K is overseen by NYCPS and a Family Child Care Network. In this setting, 2-K children are served in mixed-age groups with other children from birth to three years old.
Questions to Ask
When speaking with program staff, consider asking about:
- Learning and Care
How will teachers learn about my child's unique interests, strengths, and needs? How will they ensure my child feels safe and cared for?
- Community
How do teachers work with families? How would you describe the community of staff and parents here?
- Support
How do teachers guide children's behavior? How do they support children who speak a language other than English?
- Growth
What are your program's greatest strengths, and what areas are you currently working to improve?
How to Apply for 2-K Programs
During the application period, apply one of three ways:
Apply online using MySchools
Easiest! Browse and favorite programs, add them to your application, answer a few simple questions, and click submit!
2-K admissions is not first come, first served. You can make changes to your application any time before the deadline. All applications submitted by this date are treated the same based on admissions priorities.
2-K Programs Serving Students with Disabilities
All 2-K programs serve children with and without disabilities. Two-year-old children with disabilities may be referred to Early Intervention (EI) for an evaluation. If they are found eligible for EI services, they will receive an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan).
If your child is receiving Early Intervention services (such as special instruction and/or related services), these services may be delivered in a 2‑K program or at home.
If you suspect that your child may have a developmental delay or may need Early Intervention services, families should contact the Early Intervention Program to request an evaluation and learn more about available supports via the NYC Early Intervention Program Referral Portal or by calling 311 and asking for “Early Intervention”.
As children approach age three, families work with Early Intervention and the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to plan for a smooth transition to preschool special education services, if needed. For support with the transition from Early Intervention to preschool, your assigned EI service coordinator may assist you.
The EI Transition Team at the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) may also provide assistance. You may contact the EI transition team inbox EItoPreschool@schools.nyc.gov or you may call the helpline at 646-389-7171
How does NYCPS serve students with disabilities?
Frequently Asked Questions
I moved and need to change my address. What should I do?
If your family moves during the admissions process, please update your information right away in MySchools. If you need to update your application after the application closes, we may be able to help. Email us at ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov with your child's information and what changes you would like to make. Please note that your child's priority to attend certain programs may change if you move.
How do I apply for more than one child?
If you are applying to 2-K for more than one child and want your children to attend the same program, you can apply for all children at the same time.
- Create your MySchools account.
- Add all of your children to your MySchools dashboard.
- Begin the application for one of the children.
- At the end of the application, select the option to add all other eligible children.
- Submit your application. This will duplicate the application for the other linked children.
What if my family uses a child care voucher or receives child care assistance?
Families who use child care vouchers or receive child care assistance can still apply to 2-K. 2-K is a free program for families in New York City and does not require a voucher.