UPK and 3K applications open – everything you need to know for the application process | New York City

Families with children born in 2020 are eligible to apply for free UPK (universal Pre-K /4s) and families with children born in 2021 for free 3K until March 1st, 2024. Offers will be release Thursday, May 16, 2024. UPK and 3K admissions are not first come, first served, and you can make changes to your application any time before the deadlines. You can list up to 12 programs on your application online, all programs are free. They are all 6 hours and 20 minutes long full day programs and follow the NYC public school calendar from September to June. Age cut offs are calendar year and holding back a child is not possible.

Families can choose from different types of settings for free UPK and 3K programs:

Privately run preschools and daycares
District public schools
Pre-K/3K centers run by the Department of Education

UPK for children born in 2020

Priority for the UPK programs have children currently enrolled in a center or a sibling at the center/school having priority, living in the school’s zone, living in the center’s/school’s district or other admissions priorities i.e. English Language Learner or student in temporary housing. Find out more here.