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.
District 13 options (not complete)
- United BK Arts & Letters in Bed Stuy
- PS 307 in Vinegar Hill
- PS 287 in Downtown Brooklyn
- PS 20 in Fort Greene
- PS 46 in Fort Greene
- PS 54 in Clinton Hill
- PS 11 in Clinton Hill
- PS 133 in Gowanus (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K)
- PS 282 North Slope
- PS 9 in Prospect Heights (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K)
- Bright Horizons in DUMBO
- City Tots in Clinton Hill
- Compass Charter School in Fort Greene
- Dock Street Pre-K Center in DUMBO
- Eladia’s Kids in Prospect Heights
- Imagine in Brooklyn Heights
- Imagine in DUMBO
- Imagine in Downtown Brooklyn
- Kiddie Korner in Brooklyn Heights
- NY Kids Club in Brooklyn Heights
- NY Kids Club in DUMBO
- Our Children’s Center in Downtown Brooklyn
- The Learning Experience in Clinton Hill
- New Albee Square Montessori public school
District 15 options (not complete)
- PS 38 in Downtown Brooklyn
- PS 15 in Red Hook (Spanish Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K)
- PS 32 in Carroll Gardens
- PS 261 in Boerum Hill
- PS 29 in Cobble Hill
- PS 58 in Carroll Gardens
- PS 372 The Children’s School in Carroll Gardens
- The Brooklyn New School in Carroll Gardens
- A-Fantis in Downtown Brooklyn (Greek Dual Language Pre-K and English Pre-K)
- Strong Place Daycare Centers in Carroll Gardens, Downtown Brooklyn
- New PS 456 in Downtown Brooklyn
Find more UPK programs in your district here.
3K for All for children born in 2021
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 options (not complete)
- PS 307 in Vinegar Hill
- PS 287 in Downtown Brooklyn
- PS 20 in Fort Greene
- PS 46 in Fort Greene
- PS 54 in Clinton Hill
- Bright Horizons in DUMBO
- City Tots in Clinton Hill
- Eladia’s Kids in Prospect Heights
- Imagine in Brooklyn Heights
- Imagine in DUMBO
- Imagine in Downtown Brooklyn
- Kiddie Korner in Brooklyn Heights
- Kinderprep Montessori in Brooklyn Bridge Park
- NY Kids Club in Brooklyn Heights
- NY Kids Club in DUMBO
- Our Children’s Center in Downtown Brooklyn
- The Learning Experience in Clinton Hill
District 15 options (not complete)
- PS 38 in Downtown Brooklyn
- PS 15 in Red Hook
- PS 32 in Carroll Gardens
- KinderCare in Cobble Hill
- Little Brooklyn Playschool in Carroll Gardens
- Regina’s Daycare Centers in Cobble Hill
- Strong Place Daycare Centers in Carroll Gardens, Downtown Brooklyn
- Warren Street Center in Boerum Hill
Find more 3K centers in your district here. Some of the public schools have Open Houses coming up in the next weeks, details here.
Update on planned new 3K and UPK centers in District 15
Construction has been completed for the below 3K and UPK centers below and the buildings have been turned over to the Department of Education. According to their press office there are no news on the opening dates and they also do not appear in the online listing of programs to apply for this year.
- 3K CENTER @ 5202 3RD AVENUE –D15 –120 seats
- 3K CENTER @ 274 ATLANTIC AVENUE –D15 – 90 seats
- PRE-K CENTER @ 168 8TH STREET –D15 – 180 seats
- 3K CENTER @ 129 VAN BRUNT STREET – D15 –135 seats
Download our Preschool Guide
Now organized by neighborhood, our preschool and daycare guide features over 50 programs including 3K and UPK options. Download it here.
