New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told area residents on Tuesday (Feb. 24) that 3-K and Pre-K programs are ending on Feb. 27, 2026, and urged them to enroll their children before the deadline.
In a video posted on Instagram, Mamdani, along with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said this is the last week parents can enroll their children for the 2026-2027 school year. In Spanish, Cortez said if children reach the age of three or four in 2026, they can be enrolled in New York City’s free 3-K and Pre-K program.
What are 3-K and Pre-K programs?
3-K and Pre-K are free early care and education programs offered by New York City. As part of the 3-K program, three-year-old children are provided with free full-day education before entering kindergarten. Pre-K, which is pre-kindergarten and is aimed at four-year-olds, provides free education to help children develop skills before formal schooling. Both of these programs are part of New York City’s efforts to expand access to early education for families with young children.
In early January 2026, the Mamdani administration celebrated the launch of the programs, NYC said. In a video released at the time, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “New Yorkers have until February 27th to apply for 3-K and Pre-K, and we’re using every tool at our disposal to get the word out,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. “Whether on TaxiTV, LinkNYC or in your neighborhood, my administration will work tirelessly to make sure New Yorkers know their government is here to serve them.”
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By the end of January, Mamdani reported that more than 50,000 families had signed up within 16 days of the programs’ launch.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to apply for the program:
Who can apply?
Cortez said any parent in New York, regardless of occupation, income or immigration status, is eligible to enroll their children in the program.
How to log in?
Parents of eligible children in New York can apply in three ways, which are:
1. Applications online at the official myschools.nyc website
2. Alternatively, parents can call 718-935-2009 for a translation in over 200 languages
3. Parents can also choose to visit one of the Family Welcome Centers in the five city districts
How are applications accepted?
According to the NY report, applications are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that anyone who applied within the given time frame will definitely receive an offer.
What else did Mamdani and Cortez say?
According to Mamdani, families in New York have been crushed by child care costs for too long, paying as much as $26,000 per child per year. He added that they have the power to do something else.
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Parents can obtain translations in more than 200 languages, highlighting the efforts made by the Mamdani administration to ensure that no family is excluded from benefiting from the program due to a language barrier.
Free child care is one of the most important ways the Mamdani administration can make New York more affordable for all its residents, according to Cortez.
