mayor of new york city Zoran Mamdani Tuesday, February 24, and families are urged to apply for 3-K and Pre-K before the program ends on February 27. Mamdani encouraged residents of the area to enroll their children in schools before the deadline.
In a video posted on Instagram, Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez noted that this is the last week for parents to register their children for the 2026-2027 school year. Oak In Spanish, children can participate in free 3-K and Pre-K programs if they turn three or four by 2026 new york city.
Mamdani said in an article Statement shared by the Mayor’s Office“Child care in New York City can cost more than $26,000 per year, a price that puts the burden of raising a family out of reach for too many people. When families enroll their children in pre-K and 3-K classes, we put that money back into their pockets, making the city more affordable. If you have a child who is three or four years old, now is the time to apply. The application deadline is February 27, at which time every family who applies will receive an acceptance letter.”
What are the 3-K and Pre-K programs and who is eligible to apply?
3-K and Pre-K are free early care and education programs offered by the New York City Department of Education. Three-year-olds can receive free, full-time education under the 3-K program before entering kindergarten.
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Pre-K is preschool, for four-year-olds. The program provides free education to help children develop skills before formal schooling.
The AOC noted that any parent in New York City, regardless of occupation, income or immigration status, is eligible to enroll their child in the program.
How do you apply?
Parents can apply in the following three ways:
- You can apply online by visiting the official website myschools.nyc
- Parents can call 718-935-2009 for translation in more than 200 languages
- Parents can choose to visit one of the five boroughs’ Family Welcome Centers
What is the process for accepting applications?
Applications are reportedly not being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that everyone who applies within the allotted time is guaranteed to receive an offer of admission.
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Meanwhile, the mayor’s office further said in a statement, “More than 75,000 families have applied for 3-K and Pre-K seats since applications opened on January 14. The administration has launched a citywide outreach effort to ensure families know how and when to apply. This includes at LinkNYC kiosks and the NYC Ferry By running multilingual ads, partnering with trusted community organizations to host application workshops and conducting direct outreach—especially to families who are hesitant to engage with the government—and coordinating with faith leaders, elected officials, and community organizations in targeted communities, shelter staff are also hosting application events for families in the shelter.”
