2-K in New York City

About 2-K

2-K is New York City's free child care program for two-year-olds, providing free, full-day care and early learning to any family who needs it, regardless of zip code, income, or immigration status. 2-K is designed to serve as a cornerstone of universal child care in New York City, with the goal of reaching every two-year-old in the five boroughs at full implementation.

Am I Eligible for 2-K?

Age: Any child born in 2024 is eligible to apply, but, in most cases, they must be 2 years old to begin the program — meaning if the program starts Sept. 10, then kids whose birthdays fall after that date will likely have to wait to enroll.

Residency: Your family must reside in New York City. You do not need to live in a specific neighborhood or zip code to apply, though for the initial launch in fall 2026, priority for seats is limited to four specific communities.

Where 2-K Will Be Offered — Fall 2026 Launch Communities:

The four communities prioritized for the first 2,000 seats are:

School District 6: Washington Heights, Inwood, and Hamilton Heights
School District 10: Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Morris Heights, Van Cortlandt Village, and Kingsbridge
School Districts 18 and 23: Canarsie, Remsen Village, Brownsville, and Ocean Hill
School District 27: Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach, and the Rockaways

Program Setting Types: 2-K seats are available in NYC Early Education Centers and home-based programs, also known as family child care programs.

Priority Groups: For the initial fall 2026 launch, priority is given to families residing in the five participating school districts. As the program expands, seats will be distributed citywide.

Want to Learn More? Join a virtual information session on elementary admissions. Dates and details are on NYC Public Schools' events page.

How Do I Apply to 2-K?

Applications for 2-K are submitted through the NYC Public Schools enrollment system, MySchools. You can apply online at MySchools.nyc.

Already have an account? Use the same one. If you don’t see your child on the dashboard, add them by selecting “Add a Child”.
New to MySchools? Create an account to explore programs, apply, and get your child’s offer later. Watch the following video tutorials to learn how to create your MySchools account and how to apply.

By phone: Call 718-935-2009, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

You may also apply in person or get enrollment assistance at an NYC Public Schools Family Welcome Center. To find a Family Welcome Center near you, visit:

schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-centers

Translation and interpretation services are available for all options.  

For general enrollment information and to learn more about the 2-K program, visit the official NYC Public Schools 2-K page: schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/2-k

How Long Does It Take to Receive an Offer from 2-K?

The 2-K enrollment timeline follows the NYC Public Schools early childhood enrollment calendar. Here is what to expect for the fall 2026 inaugural launch:

Application Window Opens: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Application Window Closes: Friday, June 26, 2026
Offer Letters Released: Tuesday, August 4, 2026

What Do the Application Steps Look Like?

Follow these steps to complete your 2-K application:

Confirm your child's age. Make sure your child will be two years old by December 31 of the school year you are applying for.
Create or log in to your MySchools account at MySchools.nyc. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one using a valid email address.
Search for 2-K programs. Use the MySchools search tool to find 2-K seats in one of the four currently participating school districts.
Add programs to your application. You can rank multiple program choices in order of preference.
Complete all sections of your application. Make sure every field is filled out accurately and completely. Incomplete applications or missing documentation are among the most common reasons for delays or denials — take your time and double-check your work before submitting.
If you are applying for twins, you MUST submit identical applications for the twins. When you do this, it means they will be considered for the same program AND receive identical offers.
Submit your application before the posted deadline.
Check your MySchools account regularly for updates on your application status and to receive your offer letter when it is released.

If your child is eligible and you run into any difficulties with your application, please contact ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov

What Documentation Is Required For Registration?

You will typically need to provide the following documents. Gather these in advance to avoid delays:

Proof of your child's age: birth certificate, passport, or other official document showing date of birth.
Proof of NYC residency: a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or other official mail showing your current address.
Immunization records, if available: your child's up-to-date vaccination records as required by NYC/NYS health guidelines.

You do not need to provide proof of income, employment, or citizenship to apply.

What to Expect After Applying to 2-K

After you submit your application:

You will receive confirmation through your MySchools account that your application was received.
NYC Public Schools staff will review your application and verify your documentation. You may be contacted if anything is missing or needs clarification.

Receiving your offer:

Offer letters are sent through MySchools. Log in to your account to view and accept your offer by the deadline stated in your letter. Failing to accept by the deadline may result in losing your seat.

If you are not offered a seat:

You may be placed on a waitlist. Waitlist information will be available in your MySchools account.

What If I Need to Report a Change to My Eligibility?

Once your child is enrolled in 2-K, you should report the following changes as soon as they occur, as they may affect your child's enrollment status or seat assignment:

Change of address: If your family moves to a different home or borough, notify your child's 2-K program and update your information in your MySchools account promptly. A move outside of New York City would affect eligibility.
Change in your child's household or legal guardianship: If the primary guardian or household composition changes significantly, update your enrollment records.
Child no longer attending or withdrawing: If your child will not be attending or needs to leave the program, notify the school or program site as soon as possible so the seat can be offered to another family on the waitlist.

Report changes directly to your child's enrolled program and/or to NYC Public Schools by contacting a Family Welcome Center or calling 311 and asking for NYC Public Schools enrollment assistance. Changes should be reported as quickly as possible — do not wait until the next school year.

Common FAQs

Who is not eligible for 2-K? Children who are not two years old during the applicable school year are not eligible. Children who do not reside in New York City are also not eligible.

Is there a cost to participate? 2-K is completely free — there are no tuition, fees, or income requirements.

Does my child need to already be potty trained? No. 2-K programs are designed for two-year-olds and staff are trained to work with children at this developmental stage.

When will 2-K be available citywide? By fall 2027, 2-K is expected to serve approximately 12,000 children across all five boroughs. The goal is to reach every two-year-old in the city at full implementation within four years of the program's launch.

Who Do I Contact About My Application Status?

Online: Log in to your MySchools account at MySchools.nyc to view your application status, offers, and any required next steps.

Phone: Call 718-935-2009

Email: ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov

In person: Visit an NYC Public Schools Family Welcome Center. Find your nearest location at: schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-centers

Official program page: For the most up-to-date information on 2-K, including application dates and participating schools: schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/2-k