NYC Expands Free 3-K for Children in All Districts: Here’s How to Apply

What to Know

Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter announced that the City will be putting education money from the COVID-19 stimulus fund to bring free 3-K to all New York City districts by September -- allowing for about 16,500 more children across all 32 NYC districts to start school.
De Blasio and other City officials said that the expansion of 3-K will help bridge the education gap, bring equality into education and substantially help working families.
The 3-K application deadline has been pushed to May 28, 2021.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter announced that the City will be putting education money from the COVID-19 stimulus fund to bring free 3-K to all New York City districts by September -- allowing for about 16,500 more children across all 32 NYC districts to start school.

De Blasio and other City officials said that the expansion of 3-K will help bridge the education gap, bring equality into education and substantially help working families.

"If you get early childhood education right, everything else works," the mayor said, adding: "What I felt from the beginning is that the investments in early childhood education have a profound impact on families...but they are also where we get the biggest impact for the dollars we spend on education."

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Meanwhile, Porter called the expansion of 3-K it a "big deal" adding that the news "couldn't come at a better time as New York City turns the corner on this virus."

In the city, parents and guardians can apply to 3-K in the calendar year that a child turns 3 years old. If you have a child born in 2018, you can apply now for 3-K programs that begin in fall 2021.

Starting this fall, the City will expand to offer 3-K to as many families as possible in the remaining sixteen school districts.

In school districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 19, 23, 27, 31, and 32, there is a 3-K seat for every three-year-old.
In school districts 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30, the City will offer 3-K seats to as many as possible.
Families across the city can still apply to programs in any district, but a child has priority to attend 3-K for All programs in the district where they live. Families can find out their school district by calling 311 or visiting schools.nyc.gov/Find-a-School).
Additionally, each district will continue to offer Extended Day/Year 3-K programs to families who qualify based on income and needs.

The 3-K application deadline has been pushed to May 28, 2021. To apply, visit MySchools to create a MySchools account. This link will also provide information to let adults explore 3-K program options for the child in their care, build an application, and apply online.