Families with children born in 2017 can apply for free Universal Pre-K from February 24 to April 7, 2021 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 April 7.
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 most likely get your child’s Pre-K offer letter in May. 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. Review programs in the online Pre-K directory here. 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
- A-Fantis in Brooklyn Heights
- PS 32 in Carroll Gardens (new school building now open!)
- PS 38 in Downtown Brooklyn
- PS 261 in Boerum Hill
- PS 15 in Red Hook
- PS 20 in Fort Greene
- PS 11 in Clinton Hill
- PS 282 in North Slope
- PS 56 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
Email us for a recording of our comprehensive 2-hour Pre-K Info Session from 2/11/2021 at [email protected].
Photos: Magnet School for STEM studies PS 307 in Vinegar Hill. Takes students from all over Brooklyn.
