Waitlists for 3-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Close on September 19, 2025

Families who missed the 3-K, Pre-K, or Kindergarten application deadlines, can still add their child to waitlists, which is scheduled to close on Friday, September 19, 2025.  Those on the waitlist may still lead to a placement for the 2025–2026 school year.

There are two ways to add a child to a waitlist:

1. Contact the school of interest directly to be added, or

2. Use the child’s MySchools account:

• Go to MySchools

• Select the appropriate program directory based on the child’s date of birth

• Enter the child's home address or another address that is convenient

• Select the “Need a Seat for This School Year?” filter to locate programs with available seats for the 2025-26 school year.

What to Do After the Waitlist Is Closed

There are still options for families who have not yet secured a seat for their child for the 2025-26 school year.  After September 19th, MySchools will include updated filters to view schools/programs (which are all free or low cost) with open seats and allow them to enroll in:

• NYCPS Extended Day and Year (EDY),

• Head Start Transitional (HS), and

• School Day Year (SDY) seats.

Families in need of longer school days (10 hours/day) can explore School Day Year Plus (SDY+) program on MySchools. Select the “Need Before or After School Care” filter to locate SDY+ programs with available seats for the 2025-26 school year. 

For more information on program eligibility and enrollment go to https://www.schools.nyc.gov/BrightStarts.  Additional details on this process for the 2025-26 school year will be forthcoming.

Update on ACS Vouchers

The issuance of child care vouchers through the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is still on pause; see our May 20th blog post here. 

Families who are in receipt of Cash Assistance have a child care guarantee and can enroll in child care through the ACCESS HRA client portal.