New York City offers several programs that provide free preschool and other educational opportunities for migrants, including:
- Free pre-kindergarten New York City offers free pre-kindergarten for children who are 4 years old on or before December 1st of the year they would begin. You can enroll by:
- Visiting nyc.gov/prek ( https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k)
- Texting “prek” to 877877
- Calling 311 and asking about pre-kindergarten
- New York State Migrant Education Program (NYS-MEP)This program helps ensure that migrant children have access to the same free public education as other children.
- Head StartThis program offers free learning and social/emotional development services for children ages birth to age five. Children can enroll regardless of their immigration status.
- Promise NYCThis program provides child care assistance to low-income families, including undocumented children and their families.
- Family Welcome CentersThese centers offer free education and pre-K for undocumented immigrant children.
Some programs may require children to be legal residents, including those that offer care past 3 PM.
In New York City, children begin Pre-K in the calendar year they turn four. There is a Pre-K seat for every four-year-old in New York City. Children who attend free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K learn through play, build skills, and work together — learn more about the benefits of Pre-K here.
EarlyLearn NYC programs offer quality Child Care and Head Start programming in safe, clean and high quality settings. Children from low-income families are eligible for free early childhood education. Read more about early childhood education or call (212) 232-0966 for more information.