Our school braids funding in order to serve families across the Lower East Side. Offered in partnership with Head Start and the Department of Education, Universal Pre-K at the Manny Cantor Center are inspired, responsive, progressive 3K and UPK programs that follow an emergent, project-based curriculum for 3-and 4-year-olds. As with all NYCPS contracted UPK programs in the City, our program utilizes the Creative Curriculum with the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment tool. These programs are provided for free to all enrolled families, regardless of income, and run five days per week.  

The Department of Education matches families and schools, based on school admission priorities, seat availability, and family application choices. You can learn more about families receiving offers here. 

2025-26 School Year Admissions Timeline  

For the 2025-26 school year, families with children born in 2021 will be eligible to apply for Pre-K, and families with children born in 2022 will be eligible to apply for 3K.  

The 3K and UPK application will open on January 15th, 2025. Families can apply until February 28th, 2025 on the Department of Education’s MySchools website. New York City Public Schools will reach out to families about placement in mid-May. Families can find us by searching the school code 02MAUA.

November, December + January: Interested families research school options in the neighborhood, and attend information sessions.  

January 15th, 2025: MySchool Application Opens 

May 2025: 3K + UPK offers released; remaining seats filled on a rolling basis.  

September 2025: School year begins.  

NYCPS 3K and UPK Information Sessions  

In preparation for the 2025-26 school year, New York City Public Schools will be offering virtual information sessions covering 3K and UPK admissions. Participants will learn more about how to use the MySchools online directory, how to prepare their application, how offers are made, and will have a time to asks questions (*interpretation provided).    

Families with children born in 2021 and 2022 are invited to attend. For event details, visit schools.nyc.gov/ESEvents. 

Manny Cantor Center is grateful for the generous support of the Jewish Communal Fund as the founding donor of the Jewish Day Care initiative, with a gift made through UJA-Federation of New York, and for the JCF’s support in piloting this new model of family engagement.