Our school braids funding in order to serve families across the Lower East Side. 3K and Pre-K are offered in partnership with Head Start and New York City Public Schools, ensuring that school is free for all enrolled three- and four-year-olds. 

As with all NYCPS-contracted 3K and Pre-K programs in the city, our program utilizes the Creative Curriculum. Children learn through active play and exploration in classroom centers, and engage in units of study that support social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. They have opportunities to move their bodies each day, either outside or in our on-site gymnasium space. 

3K and Pre-K run five days per week, and breakfast, lunch, and snack are provided daily. Limited fee-based aftercare is available. 

The Department of Education matches families and schools based on school admission priorities, seat availability, and family application choices. 

2026-27 School Year Admissions Timeline  

For the 2026-2027 school year, families with children born in 2022 will be eligible to apply for Pre-K, and families with children born in 2023 will be eligible to apply for 3K.   

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

January 14th, 2026: MySchool Application Opens. 

May 2026: 3K + UPK offers released; remaining seats filled on a rolling basis.  

September 2026: School year begins.  

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.