2-K

NYC Public Schools, in partnership with City Hall and the Governor's Office, is launching 2-K, which will provide free early care and learning for two-year-olds. 2-K will launch in fall 2026 in select neighborhoods and will expand citywide in future years.

Graphic of a person with 2 very young children playing with stacking blocks

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

Join Our Admissions Events

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 1PM–2PM English, ASL, Arabic, Bangla, Spanish, and Urdu

Event will be held in English.

Interpretation will be provided in: American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Bangla, Spanish, and Urdu.

To join this virtual event via Zoom, use the following the link and enter the passcode: 123456. The video will have ASL interpretation.

Join Wednesday June 3, 2026 event

Join the Event by Phone

To listen in English, call + 1 646-931-3860 and use the following details to join the event.

  1. Enter the conference line number: 961 3680 8818#
  2. Enter the passcode: 123456

For Arabic, Bangla, Spanish, or Urdu Interpretation Services

Call +1 347-966-4114 and use the details next to your language to join the event.

  • For Arabic, use Phone Conference ID: 539 377 048#
  • For Bangla, use Phone Conference ID: 802 505 810#
  • For Spanish, use Phone Conference ID: 786 157 962#
  • For Urdu, use Phone Conference ID: 270 982 071#

Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 6PM–7PM English, ASL, Albanian, French, Haitian Creole, and Uzbek

Event will be held in English.

Interpretation will be provided in: American Sign Language (ASL), Albanian, French, Haitian Creole, and Uzbek.

To join this virtual event via Zoom, use the following the link and enter the passcode: 123456. The video will have ASL interpretation.

Join Thursday June 11, 2026 event

Join the Event by Phone

To listen in English, call + 1 646-931-3860 and use the following details to join the event.

  1. Enter the conference line number: 961 3680 8818#
  2. Enter the passcode: 123456

For Albanian, French, Haitian Creole, or Uzbek Interpretation Services

Call +1 347-966-4114 and use the details next to your language to join the event.

  • For Albanian, use Phone Conference ID: 950 296 318#
  • For French, use Phone Conference ID: 813 818 778#
  • For Haitian Creole, use Phone Conference ID: 511 563 753#
  • For Uzbek, use Phone Conference ID: 702 998 778#

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 6PM–7PM English, ASL, Bangla, Chinese Mandarin, Haitian Creole, and Korean

Event will be held in English.

Interpretation will be provided in: American Sign Language (ASL), Bangla, Chinese Mandarin, Haitian Creole, and Korean.

To join this virtual event via Zoom, use the following the link and enter the passcode: 123456. The video will have ASL interpretation.

Join Wednesday June 17, 2026 event

Join the Event by Phone

To listen in English, call + 1 646-931-3860 and use the following details to join the event.

  1. Enter the conference line number: 925 206 114 28#
  2. Enter the passcode: 123456#

For Bangla, Chinese Mandarin, Haitian Creole, or Korean Interpretation Services

Call +1 347-966-4114 and use the details next to your language to join the event.

  • For Bangla, use Phone Conference ID: 282 689 373#
  • For Chinese Mandarin, use Phone Conference ID: 134 582 069#
  • For Haitian Creole, use Phone Conference ID: 328 393 467#
  • For Korean, use Phone Conference ID: 971 966 518#

Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 6PM–7PM English, ASL, Russian, Cantonese, Spanish, and Ukrainian

Event will be held in English.

Interpretation will be provided in: American Sign Language (ASL), Russian, Cantonese, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

To join this virtual event via Zoom, use the following the link and enter the passcode: 123456. The video will have ASL interpretation.

Join Thursday June 25, 2026 event

Join the Event by Phone

To listen in English, call + 1 646-931-3860 and use the following details to join the event.

  1. Enter the conference line number: 925 206 114 28#
  2. Enter the passcode: 123456#

For American Sign Language (ASL), Russian, Cantonese, Spanish, and Ukrainian Interpretation Services

Call +1 347-966-4114 and use the details next to your language to join the event.

  • For Russian, use Phone Conference ID: 252 568 882#
  • For Cantonese, use Phone Conference ID: 550 412 078#
  • For Spanish, use Phone Conference ID: 725 291 895#
  • For Ukrainian, use Phone Conference ID: 159 369 631#

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. 

In most cases, children must be 2 years old to begin a 2-K program on the first day of school. Children who turn 2 later in the year may receive a pending offer to start at a later date.

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 6
    • Washington Heights
    • Inwood
    • Hamilton Heights
  • District 10
    • Fordham
    • Belmont
    • Norwood
    • Morris Heights
    • Van Cortlandt Village
    • Kingsbridge
  • District 18
    • Canarsie
    • Remsen Village
  • District 23
    • Brownsville
    • Ocean Hill
  • 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!

Apply by phone at 718-935-2009

Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages.

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.

  1. Create your MySchools account.
  2. Add all of your children to your MySchools dashboard.
  3. Begin the application for one of the children.
  4. At the end of the application, select the option to add all other eligible children.
  5. 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.

Enrollment Resources for Diverse Student Needs

Find Out More