A dozen facilities providing services in the city's new universal pre-kindergarten program won't open on time if they don't fix serious health and safety violations.
City officials say Friday they'll temporarily enroll children in other pre-K schools if the offending centers can't pass inspections by Sept. 4's opening day.
Violations requiring immediate action include expired fire extinguisher inspections, improperly stored food and blocked exits. Individual Pre-K employees won't be allowed to work if their background checks are out of date.
Health Commissioner Mary Bassett says the city is working aggressively to make sure the more than 1,110 pre-K centers are safe before children are allowed in.
She says 21 facilities were able to remedy their serious violations in the last month and are now set to open on time.
