3-K and Pre-K for All in Brooklyn
A clear explanation of how NYC’s free 3-K and Pre-K for All programs work, how they differ from private preschool, and how families in Crown Heights (Districts 17 and 13) can decide what’s right for their child.
3-K and Pre-K for All are free, DOE-run, applied for via MySchools
Little Me is a private preschool, not currently a 3-K/Pre-K for All site
DOE programs generally follow the school-year calendar and school-day hours
Some families combine a DOE year with private care in other years
Continuity from infancy through preschool is the main advantage of staying with one center
3-K, Pre-K for All, and Private Preschool: What's the Difference?
3-K and Pre-K for All are free, city-funded programs run by the NYC Department of Education, applied for through the MySchools portal rather than through ACS or a childcare voucher. Crown Heights sits across School Districts 17 and 13, and eleven centers in the neighborhood currently participate as 3-K or Pre-K for All sites. Little Me Daycare is a private preschool program, not currently a DOE 3-K or Pre-K for All site.
That doesn’t mean the two options are in conflict. Some families in Crown Heights use a DOE 3-K or Pre-K year and then continue with a private program before or after; others choose the continuity of staying with one center, like ours, from infancy straight through kindergarten entry, rather than switching schools and routines mid-way. Neither path is objectively better. It depends on what your family needs. DOE 3-K and Pre-K classrooms tend to run on the public school calendar and school-day hours, which works well for some families and less well for others who need year-round, full-day coverage that matches a standard working schedule.
A Few Honest Questions to Help You Decide
If you’re weighing DOE 3-K or Pre-K for All against a private program like ours, it helps to think through your actual schedule needs first: do you need coverage that matches a full workday, year-round, including summers? Do you value the continuity of staying with the same teachers and classmates your child already knows? Is your family drawn to a specific public school’s Pre-K program because you’re hoping to feed into that school for kindergarten? Each of these points toward a different answer, and we’re glad to talk through your specific situation rather than push you toward whichever option benefits us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little Me Daycare a 3-K or Pre-K for All site?
Not currently. Little Me is a private preschool program. We’re happy to talk through how our program compares with DOE 3-K and Pre-K for All if you’re weighing both.
How do I apply for 3-K or Pre-K for All in NYC?
Both programs are applied for through the MySchools portal, run by the NYC Department of Education, not through ACS or a childcare voucher.
Can I use a childcare voucher for 3-K or Pre-K for All?
No, those are separate systems. ACS/HRA vouchers apply to childcare programs like ours; 3-K and Pre-K for All are free DOE programs with a separate application process.
Do DOE 3-K and Pre-K for All programs run year-round?
Generally, no. Most follow the standard public school calendar and school-day hours, which may not match a full-time working schedule. Confirm specific hours with any program you’re considering.
Not Sure Which Path Fits Your Family?
We’re happy to talk through both options honestly, even the parts that don’t involve us.
ACS/HRA vouchers accepted | Ages 6 weeks to 5 years | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm