NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez encouraged families with children turning three or four this year to sign up for 3-K or Pre-K by Feb. 27, 2026, in a jointly released video in Spanish.
Applications are open to all eligible families, regardless of the language they speak or immigration status. Programs are free.
“Child care remains one of the largest financial burdens facing New York families. Programs like 3-K and Pre-K are free, open to any child turning three or four this year and can put an average $26,000 back in the pockets of working people,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. No matter the language you speak, your immigration status or zip code, there is a seat waiting for your child.”
Families can apply at myschools.nyc or call 718-935-2009. Applications are not first-come, first-served. Any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer.
Application support is available by phone or at one of the City’s 10 Family Welcome Centers across the five boroughs. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages. Online applications are available in 13 languages:
- English
- Albanian
- Arabic
- Bengali/Bangla
- Chinese
- Haitian Creole
- French
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Uzbek
As part of the City’s whole-of-government effort to boost enrollment, the administration has:
- Launched LinkNYC kiosk and NYC Ferry advertisements in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian, including targeted outreach in ZIP codes with large populations of non-English speakers.
- Partnered with 19 trusted community organizations to host application workshops and conduct direct outreach, particularly to families hesitant to engage with government.
- Worked with faith leaders, elected officials and community-based organizations to reach families in School Districts 4, 9, 14 and 17.
- Hosted a multi-lingual and community media roundtable on Pre-K and 3-K.
- Conducted outbound calls and texts to eligible families who have not started an application, focusing on districts with lower engagement rates than last year.
- Coordinated with shelter-based staff to conduct on-the-ground outreach, including door-knocking and application events for families in shelters.
- Announced the opening of a new Pre-K and 3-K center opening this fall on the Upper East Side as part of the administration’s effort to fix the broken 3-K system.
- Highlighted the role of home-based providers in delivering universal 3-K through a mayoral visit.
As applications are reviewed, the city will activate additional resources to ensure every child receives a placement and every family is able to accept that placement.
This work aligns with the City’s bold commitment to fix the 3-K system and deliver universal access across all five boroughs, supported by funding from Governor Kathy Hochul.
This fall, the City will also take its first steps toward 2-K, launching 2,000 free child care seats as part of its commitment to universal 2-K by the end of 2029.
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