Parents with children born in 2016 can apply for free Universal Pre-K from February 5 to March 16, 2020 online to programs at public zoned schools, public un-zoned schools, public Pre-K centers and Early Education Centers (private preschools and daycares that have been accredited within the UPK program) using a single Pre-K application. It is not a first come first serve process, just apply by March 16.
You can apply to up to 12 programs and you should list them in your true order of preference. The way you rank schools doesn’t affect your priority for a school. You will get your child’s Pre-K offer letter in May. You can review the Pre-K directory by the Department of Education here. Pre-K classrooms host up to 18 students with 2 teachers. All programs are 6 hours and 2 minutes and follow the New York Department of Education school calendar. Only one Charter School in our neighborhood offers free Pre-K which is Compass Charter School in Fort Greene.
Here are a few schools/centers in our neighborhood that offer free UPK:
- PS 307 Magnet school for STEM studies in Vinegar Hill
- Dock Street Pre-K center in DUMBO
- Non-zoned choice school PS 133 in Gowanus
- Non-zoned choice school Brooklyn New School in Carroll Gardens
- Non-zoned choice school PS 372 The Children’s School in Carroll Gardens
- Imagine Daycare in DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights
- NY Preschool (NY Kids Club) in Brooklyn Heights
- A-Fantis in Brooklyn Heights
- PS 32 in Carroll Gardens
- PS 38 in Downtown Brooklyn
- PS 15 in Red Hook
- PS 20 in Fort Greene
The following schools additionally offer Spanish dual language Pre-K programs:
- PS 15 in Red Hook
- PS 133 in Gowanus
- PS 46 in Fort Greene
- PS 9 in Prospect Heights
- The Little Brooklyn Pre-K Center in Sunset Park (Chinese & Spanish)
- PS 54 in Clinton Hill
Photos: Magnet School for STEM studies PS 307 in Vinegar Hill. Takes students from all over Brooklyn.
