Early Childhood Learning
Pre-K
In New York City, children begin Pre-K in the calendar year they turn four. There is a Pre-K seat for every four-year-old in New York City. Children who attend free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K learn through play, build skills, and work together — learn more about the benefits of Pre-K here.
Happening Now:
If your child was born in 2020 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend Pre-K starting in fall 2024. If you need assistance finding a program, please visit MySchools and use the "Need a Seat for the 2024-25 School Year?" filter to find programs that may have seats available now. You can also email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov for assistance finding a program.
Fall 2025 Admissions Timeline*
Below are the application open, close, and offer release dates. These dates are for students who are applying during the 2024-2025 school year for admission in the 2025-2026 school year.
*Please note: These dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced and communicated directly to families. Sign up for updates here(Open external link).
Pre-K Admissions
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025: Pre-K Application Opens
- Friday, February 28, 2025: Pre-K Application Closes
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025: Pre-K Offer Release
Kindergarten
In New York City, children enter kindergarten in September of the calendar year they turn five. Children are guaranteed a kindergarten seat at a public school. Once your child starts kindergarten, they can remain at the same school until its final elementary grade. Scroll down and watch our video series to learn more about kindergarten admissions.
District 75 Programs for Kindergarten Students
Families of children with disabilities entering kindergarten in September will take part in two processes. They are:
- the Turning 5 Process, which is how special education services and supports are determined for children entering kindergarten.
- The kindergarten admissions process
f you would like to visit, some of our kindergarten sites are listed here. Please call to make an appointment to meet our staff and see the various programs we offer.
District 75 classes are held in community schools and in self-contained school buildings throughout the city. You can tell where a District 75 class is held by the name of the program. For example, P169M@P102M means that the program, P169M, is a District 75 program in Manhattan, and it is held at P.S. M102 in Manhattan.
Also, each borough is notated by a letter:
- X stands for the Bronx
- K stands for Brooklyn
- Q stands for Queens
- M stands for Manhattan
- R stands for Staten Island
