33,000 families receive 3-K for All offers as program expands across all 32 community school districts

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, on June 30, announced 33,131 families are receiving offers to free, full-day, high-quality 3-K for All across all 32 community school districts following an historic expansion of the program – up from 17,455 in 2020 and 9,518 in 2019. “By expanding 3-K to every district across our city, we’re bringing a record number of families access to a free, high-quality, early education for their child. As we build a recovery for us all, 3-K and Pre-K will continue to lead the way in supporting New York City’s children and working families,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Access to free, high-quality early education has transformed the lives of so many families across New York City, and today a record 33,000 children are receiving offers to a 3-K for All program,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “Our expansion to every district this fall will provide even more students with a strong start in school and life, and we’re conducting outreach over the summer to encourage additional families to sign up!”

Across the city, 92 percent of families who applied to 3-K for All received an offer and a record 76 percent of families received an offer to one of their top three program choices. A total of 33,208 families across all 32 community school districts applied to 3-K for All, demonstrating high demand as the City works towards universal access by September 2023.

As announced this spring, 3-K for All will be available in every community school district in the 2021-22 school year, and families can continue to enroll. Offers were made to as many families as possible in the twenty new districts. There is a 3-K seat for every three-year-old in districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 19, 23, 27, 31, and 32.

3-K for All is the nation’s most ambitious effort to provide universal, free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for every three-year-old child and builds on the success of Pre-K for All. High-quality 3-K helps to make sure children are prepared for kindergarten and have a strong start in school and life.

Like Pre-K for All, 3-K for All relies on the partnership of community-based organizations, including Head Start programs, childcare agencies, and family childcare providers. The timing of the fall 2021-22 expansion aligns with the culmination of the City’s historic commitment to achieve pay parity for certified early childhood education teachers by October 2021, a goal which is on track to be met. Achieving a pathway to pay parity between early childhood educators in community-based organizations and those working in district schools completes the promise made by the Mayor and City Council to the provider community during summer 2019, as part of agreements with District Council 37, the Day Care Council of New York, and the Head Start Sponsoring Board Council, as well as a commitment to non-represented teachers. Certified teachers saw phased-in wage increases beginning in October 2019. Non-certified teachers and support staff have also seen increases in compensation.