Start Exploring Your 3-K Options!

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Dear families,

The 3-K application for the 2022-2023 school year will open later this winter. All children born in 2019 are eligible to apply. Now is a great time to learn about and start exploring your child’s 3-K options.

3-K programs are offered in four different program settings. All settings offer the same high-quality curriculum to New York City’s three-year-old children:

  • New York City Early Education Centers (NYCEECs). These community-based organizations with early childhood expertise partner with the DOE to offer 3-K programs.
  • Family Child Care. These programs offer 3-K in a home-based setting by licensed, qualified childcare providers.
  • District Schools. Some DOE public elementary schools that offer 3-K.
  • Pre-K Centers. These are DOE early childhood centers that only offers grades below kindergarten.

Within settings and sometimes within the same program, there are three types of 3-K seats:

  • Full Day seats are free and provide early care and education for 6 hours and 20 minutes per day during the school year, typically September to June. All NYC children born in 2019 are eligible for these seats. 
  • Extended Day and Year seats are free or low cost and provide care for up to 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round. Eligibility for these seats is based on family income and needs. If you receive an offer to an Extended Day and Year seat, you will need to confirm your child’s eligibility by completing a Child Care application.
  • Head Start seats are free and provide 10 hours of early care and education a day, year-round. Eligibility for Head Start is based on family income and needs. If you receive an offer to a Head Start seat, the program will work with you to confirm your child’s eligibility.

Learn more about 3-K admissions on our website, where you can watch our video playlist. You can also browse current 3-K offerings now in the MySchools 3-K directory. Create an account and add your child.

We’ll be in touch again before the application opens! In the meantime, if you need support, you can:

Best,

The 3-K Admissions Team