UPK and 3K applications open – everything you need to know and upcoming open houses

UPK and 3K applications for the 2026-27 school year are now open, and families can attend school tours and open houses over the next weeks and months. Here’s everything you need to know about these programs: who is eligible, how to apply, locations, how to tour, and the latest news on 3K & UPK programs, including a change to the lottery number policy, the appointment of a new head for the Office of Childcare, and Mamdani’s plan to fix 3K in NYC. Read more about Mayor Mamdani’s vision for expanding universal childcare here!

Families with children born in 2022 are eligible to apply for free UPK (universal Pre-K/4s). Families with children born in 2023 are eligible to apply for free 3K. The deadline is Friday, February 27, 2026. Families can apply online at MySchools.nyc, call 718-935-2009, or visit a Family Welcome Center. Offers for UPK programs will be released on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and offers for 3K programs will be release on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

UPK and 3K admissions are not first come, first served; you can make changes to your application any time before the February deadline. You can list as many schools as you like in your application online. Both programs are free, full-day programs (6 hours and 20 minutes long) 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

The latest news for NYC’s 3K & UPK programs

• Change to random number policy for DOE admissions to 3K & Pre-K programs | In previous years, parents could view their child’s random number in their MySchools account as soon as 3K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten applications opened, but the DOE has changed its policy: random numbers will now only be visible after the application deadline. The shift comes in response to families creating multiple accounts to compare numbers. Parents are still encouraged to rank schools in true order of preference. To learn more about random numbers in admissions, click here.
• Mayor Mamdani’s plan to fix 3K in NYC | $1.21 billion has been committed by Governor Hochul towards expanding universal child care in NYC. More than $100 million of this sum will be invested in fixing 3K–ensuring that every family who wants one will have access to a 3K seat, and making sure that those seats are far closer to home than they have been in the past. Read more of Mayor Mamdani’s vision for universal childcare here.
• Emmy Liss appointed head of the Office of Child Care by Mamdani | Emily (Emmy) Liss, head of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Child Care, is overseeing the next phase of expansion for 3K and UPK with a focus on increasing seats, stabilizing providers, and improving access for children with disabilities. A key figure in the original rollout of universal pre-K, Liss is now working on new initiatives to strengthen community-based programs and address staffing, funding, and space challenges across the city’s early childhood system.

UPK for children born in 2022

For UPK programs, priority is given to children currently enrolled in a center, siblings of currently enrolled students, children who live in the center’s/school’s zone, children who live in the center’s/school’s district, plus other admissions priorities: for example, low-income students, students in temporary housing, Emergent Multilingual Learners, and other groups. Find out more here. Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend UPK.

District 13 UPK options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• PS 307 in Vinegar Hill
• Bright Horizons in DUMBO | Inquire about school tour here.
• Dock Street Pre-K Center in DUMBO | School Tours every Wednesday through February 2026 @ 9:15am & 9:40am; call main office at 718.780.7690 to sign up.
• PS 287 in Downtown Brooklyn
• Kiddie Korner in Brooklyn Heights | School Tours every Thursday at 9am; sign up here.
• PS 482 Albee Square Montessori in Downtown Brooklyn | Get a peek inside the school here! | Info Sessions on 1/29 & 2/9 @ 9am; sign up here.
• Our Children’s Center in Downtown Brooklyn
• PS 20 in Fort Greene | January tour at capacity; click here for announcement of February 2026 tour date.
• PS 46 in Fort Greene | Open House on 1/22 @ 8:30am; sign up here.
• PS 54 in Clinton Hill | Open Houses on 1/22, 2/6, 3/27, and 5/14; sign up here.
• PS 11 in Clinton Hill (UPK only; no 3K program at this school) | School Tours on 1/30, 2/13, 3/13, 3/27, 4/17, 5/8; sign up here.
• CitiTots in Clinton Hill | Click here to schedule a tour.
• The Learning Experience in Clinton Hill | Schedule a School Tour here.
• Eladia’s Kids in Prospect Heights | School Tours by appointment only; schedule here.
• PS 9 in Prospect Heights (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K) | School Tours @ 1/22 & 2/12 @ 9am; sign up here.
• Eladia’s Kids in Prospect Heights | School Tours by appointment only; schedule here.
• Prospect Heights Academy/Sunny Skies Preschool in Prospect Heights | Inquire about School Tours here.
• PS 282 North Slope | School tours have all passed; for any further questions, email Parent Coordinator, Mrs. Collie-Cyrus: SC******@*********yc.gov.
• PS 133 in Gowanus (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K) | School Tours on 1/22 & 2/5 @ 9am; sign up here.
• United BK Arts & Letters in Bed Stuy | Open House on 2/3 @ 9am; sign up here.
• Bumblebees R Us in Clinton Hill, Red Hook, Sunset Park & Flatbush | Call 1-855-5-DAYCARE to schedule a tour.
• Imagine in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights & Downtown Brooklyn | Schedule a School Tour here.
• NY Preschool & Kids Club in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights & Park Slope Gowanus | Request information and schedule a tour here.
• Chai Tots Preschool in Park Slope, Prospect Heights & Windsor Terrace | Schedule School Tour here.

District 15 UPK options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• PS 38 in Boerum Hill | School tours on 1/23 (9am & 10am), 1/24 @ 10am, 2/13 (9am & 10am), and 2/24 @ 5pm (virtual tour); sign up here
• PS 261 in Boerum Hill | Open Houses 1/21 @ 8:50am; sign up here.
• Hanson Place in Boerum Hill | Call 718.237.4303 to schedule a tour.
• A-Fantis in Downtown Brooklyn (Greek Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K) | Schedule a tour here.
• PS 456 The Elizabeth Jennings School for Bold Explorers | Get a peek inside the school here! | In-person Open Houses for Kindergarten, 1st Grade & 2nd Grade only; Virtual Open House here.
• KinderCare in Cobble Hill | Schedule a tour here.
• PS 29 in Cobble Hill | All Open Houses have passed; reach out to parent coordinator, Janet (Jeehyun) Cavanagh, jc*******@****bk.org with any questions.
• PS 58 in Carroll Gardens | Pre-K Open House on 2/11 at 8:35am; sign up here.
• PS 32 in Carroll Gardens | School Tours on select Saturdays @ 9am & 10:15am through May 2026; sign up here.
• PS 372 The Children’s School in Carroll Gardens | To set up School Tour, contact Yvette Agas-Bautz, Parent Coordinator, at YA********@*********yc.gov or 718-624-5271 ext. 1110.
• The Brooklyn New School in Carroll Gardens | Virtual Open House 2/5 @ 5pm, In-Person Open House 2/26 at 9am; no registration necessary. Watch a recording of a Virtual Open House here.
• PS 15 in Red Hook (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K) | School Tours offered by reservation; email mc*********@*********yc.gov.
• Brooklyn Free Space in Park Slope | Request a tour here.
• PS 001 in Sunset Park | No more School Tours available.
• PS 516 in Sunset Park | School Tour on 1/22 @ 8:30am; RSVP to gr**********@*********yc.gov.
• Worldtots Preschool in Sunset Park | Book a School Tour here.
• Bumblebees R Us in Clinton Hill, Red Hook, Sunset Park & Flatbush | Call 1-855-5-DAYCARE to schedule a tour.
• Chai Tots Preschool in Park Slope, Prospect Heights & Windsor Terrace | Schedule School Tour here.
• Strong Place Daycare Centers in Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens/Red Hook, Gowanus/Park Slope | Daily tours at 11am at Carroll Gardens/Red Hook location.

District 14 UPK options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• JCC North in Williamsburg | Contact wi**********@**********yn.org to schedule a tour.
• Brooklyn Arbor Elementary in Williamsburg | In-Person Tour on 2/6 at 9am; no registration required.
• PS 17 in Williamsburg | Click here to schedule a tour.
• PS 16 in Williamsburg | Call the school to speak with Iraida Cortes to set up a tour (usually hosted on Wednesdays). 
• PS 84 in Williamsburg | School Tours on 1/30 & 2/13 @ 9am; sign up here.
• Chabad of North Brooklyn in Williamsburg | Email ga*************@***il.com for School Tour. 
• PS 34 in Greenpoint | School Tours on 1/21 & 1/22 at 8:45am; sign up here. More tours coming in February. 
• PS 31 in Greenpoint | Virtual Tours on 2/10 @ 9:30am and 3/3 @ 9:30am.
• Keui Luck Early Childhood Center in Greenpoint | Open House on 1/24 @ 9am; sign up by scheduling a tour for that date here.
• PS 110 in Greenpoint | School Tours on 1/23, 2/27 & 3/27 at 9am; no registration required.

District 20 UPK options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• District 20 Pre-K Center ZO74 in Sunset Park | No more School Tours available.
• District 20 Pre-K Center Z099 in Sunset Park | No more School Tours available.
• District 20 Pre-K Center Z111 in Bay Ridge | No more School Tours available.
• District 20 Pre-K Center Z072 in Bay Ridge | prek | No more School Tours available.
• Worldtots Preschool in Bay Ridge | Book a School Tour here.
• Miss Jenn’s Little Achievers in Bay Ridge
• Our Saviour’s Lutheran Preschool in Bay Ridge | Open House 1/24 @2pm; no registration necessary. 
  
• Stepping Stones and Stepping Stones – The Next Step in Bay Ridge | Open House 2/5 at 6pm
• Wisdom Tree Preschool in Bay Ridge | Request a School Tour here. Virtual Open House on 1/30.

Find more UPK programs in your district HERE.

3K for All for children born in 2022

Priority for the 3K programs is similar to Pre-K (4s programs priorities) with children currently enrolled in a center or a sibling at the center/school having priority, living in the school’s zone or living in the center’s/school’s district. Find out more here.

District 13 3K options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• Bright Horizons in DUMBO | Inquire about school tour here.
• Dock Street Pre-K Center in DUMBO | School Tours every Wednesday through February 2026 @ 9:15am & 9:40am; call main office at 718.780.7690 to sign up.
• PS 307 in Vinegar Hill
• Kiddie Korner in Brooklyn Heights | School Tours every Thursday at 9am; sign up here.
• Kinderprep Montessori in Brooklyn Bridge Park | Schedule a school tour here.
• PS 38 in Boerum Hill | School tours on 1/23 (9am & 10am), 1/24 @ 10am, 2/13 (9am & 10am), and 2/24 @ 5pm (virtual tour); sign up here
• PS 261 in Boerum Hill | Open Houses 1/21 @ 8:50am; sign up here.
• Our Children’s Center in Downtown Brooklyn
• PS 287 in Downtown Brooklyn
• PS 20 in Fort Greene | January tour at capacity; click here for announcement of February 2026 tour date.
• PS 46 in Fort Greene | Open House on 1/22 @ 8:30am; sign up here.
• PS 54 in Clinton Hill | Open Houses on 1/22, 2/6, 3/27, and 5/14; sign up here.
• CitiTots in Clinton Hill | Click here to schedule a tour.
• The Learning Experience in Clinton Hill | Schedule a School Tour here.
• PS 9 in Prospect Heights (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K) | School Tours @ 1/22 & 2/12 @ 9am; sign up here.
• Prospect Heights Academy/Sunny Skies Preschool in Prospect Heights | Inquire about School Tours here.
• Eladia’s Kids in Prospect Heights | School Tours by appointment only; schedule here.
• Bumblebees R Us in Clinton Hill, Red Hook, Sunset Park & Flatbush | Call 1-855-5-DAYCARE to schedule a tour.
• Imagine in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights & Downtown Brooklyn | Schedule a School Tour here.
• NY Preschool & Kids Club in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights & Park Slope Gowanus | Request information and schedule a tour here.
• Chai Tots Preschool in Park Slope, Prospect Heights & Windsor Terrace | Schedule School Tour here.

District 15 3K options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• PS 38 in Downtown Brooklyn (Prospective 3K parents should not sign up for a tour unless they are zoned for PS 38) | School tours on 1/23 (9am & 10am), 1/24 @ 10am, 2/13 (9am & 10am), and 2/24 @ 5pm (virtual tour); sign up here.
• PS 456 The Elizabeth Jennings School for Bold Explorers in Downtown Brooklyn | Get a peek inside the school here! | In-person Open Houses for Kindergarten, 1st Grade & 2nd Grade only; Virtual Open House here.
• KinderCare in Cobble Hill | Schedule a tour here.
• PS 32 in Carroll Gardens | School Tours on select Saturdays @ 9am & 10:15am through May 2026; sign up here.
• PS 15 in Red Hook (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K) | School Tours offered by reservation; email mc*********@*********yc.gov.
• PS 958 in Sunset Park | School Tours on 1/21 & 1/28 @ 9:45am; registration to required.
• Worldtots Preschool in Sunset Park | Book a School Tour here.
• Bumblebees R Us in Clinton Hill, Red Hook, Sunset Park & Flatbush | Call 1-855-5-DAYCARE to schedule a tour.
• Chai Tots Preschool in Park Slope, Prospect Heights & Windsor Terrace | Schedule School Tour here.
• Strong Place Daycare Centers in Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens/Red Hook, Gowanus/Park Slope | Daily tours at 11am at Carroll Gardens/Red Hook location.

District 14 3K options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• PS 16 in Williamsburg | Call the school to speak with Iraida Cortes to set up a tour (usually hosted on Wednesdays). 
• PS 84 in Williamsburg | School Tours on 1/30 & 2/13 @ 9am; sign up here.
• Chabad of North Brooklyn in Williamsburg | Email ga*************@***il.com for School Tour. 
• Keui Luck Early Childhood Center in Greenpoint | Open House on 1/24 @ 9am; sign up by scheduling a tour for that date here.

District 20 3K options (not complete) and upcoming Open Houses

• District 20 Pre-K Center ZO74 in Sunset Park | No more School Tours available.
• District 20 Pre-K Center Z099 in Sunset Park | No more School Tours available.
• Young Risers in Sunset Park | Book a School Tour here.
• District 20 Pre-K Center Z111 in Bay Ridge | No more School Tours available.
• Worldtots Preschool in Bay Ridge | Book a School Tour here.
• Miss Jenn’s Little Achievers in Bay Ridge
• Our Saviour’s Lutheran Preschool in Bay Ridge | Open House 1/24 @2pm; no registration necessary. 
• Stepping Stones and Stepping Stones – The Next Step in Bay Ridge | Open House 2/5 at 6pm
• Wisdom Tree Preschool in Bay Ridge | Request a School Tour here. Virtual Open House on 1/30.

Find more 3K centers in your district HERE.

Download our Public Talks about 3K and UPK here.

In these info sessions for families considering 3K and UPK options, we cover everything you need to know: application details and deadlines, waitlists, languages and more. Download the recording of our virtual info session from November 2025 here.

Download our Preschool Guide

Organized by neighborhood, our preschool and daycare guide features over 100 local preschools and daycares–including 3K and UPK options–in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, BoCoCa, Bed Stuy, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park and beyond. Click here to download!

Updated: January 20, 2026. Main Image: PS 456 The Elizabeth Jennings School for Bold Explorers in Downtown Brooklyn.