NYC Takes Another Step Towards Unifying Pre-K Programs

Starting in March, families applying to full-day pre-k for next school year will be able to apply to both public school and community-based programs in one place. The single application is part of New York City's continued effort to bring both types of programs together under one tent.

“Our plan all along was to work with schools and early ed programs to build one, high-quality system together," said Josh Wallack, chief strategy officer at the Department of Education. "And this enrollment system is another step in that process.” 

Since the launch of the expanded pre-k this school year, which added thousands of seats in community organizations, city officials have worked hard to brand the system as seamless, reassuring families that funding, facilities, curriculum and teacher quality and pay would come with the same, careful oversight.  

The city is preparing to add 20,000 more full-day pre-k seats in the fall for the second phase of the expansion, bringing the total number of students served to approximately 73,000. Many of those new seats will be listed in the pre-k directories that the city will publish in March, Wallack said.  

The new application process means families can apply to both public schools and community organizations at the same time. Last year, parents had to fill out separate applications for community-based pre-k, and placement offers to many of those programs came months after offers to public school programs. 

Department of Education staffers will manage admission to both types of programs and send out admissions offers at one time, likely in late May. Wallack said he believes the earlier timeline will be a benefit to families and to the programs themselves.

"We had programs coming online and enrolling students right up until the end of August last year," he said. "This year, we’re going to do more of that upfront so that providers can focus more on instruction, getting their teachers ready, getting materials, classrooms set up and working with their families."

Families can start applying to pre-k March 16. The application deadline is April 24.