Free pre-K in New York
Free pre-K sign-up dates for 2027-28: Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess, and Orange
By Alex Colombo, Kid Care Finder · Updated October 1, 2026
The short version
- For 2027-28, most districts take children who turn 4 on or before December 1, 2027 and live in the district. A few use a later cutoff.
- You apply to your school district, not the state. State rules require a lottery and a waitlist when more children apply than there are seats.
- A few districts are already taking 2027-28 applications or have posted dates (below). Most post theirs between November and March.
- Many districts place free pre-K seats at local preschools and child care centers. See which programs each district names.
- New York is adding seats. By 2028-29, districts must offer pre-K to every eligible 4-year-old who applies.
Open now or dates posted
| District | County | 2027-28 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Katonah-Lewisboro | Westchester | Applications open now; deadline in late October 2026 (exact date to be posted); lottery in early November. |
| New Rochelle | Westchester | Lottery opens Jan 6, 2027; first-round deadline Jan 29; placements start Feb 2, 2027. |
| Somers | Westchester | Applications opened Oct 1, 2026 and close Jan 15, 2027. |
| Ramapo (Suffern) | Rockland | Applications open in January 2027 (exact date not posted). |
| South Orangetown | Rockland | Applications open Dec 9, 2026; complete applications by Feb 5, 2027 enter the lottery. Info night Dec 7, 2026. |
| Wappingers | Dutchess | Opens January 2027; deadline end of February 2027; lottery in March 2027 (months only; confirm with district). |
| Middletown | Orange | Registration Mar 10 to Mar 25, 2027; lottery Jun 4, 2027. |
How free pre-K works in New York
Universal pre-K (UPK) is free, run by each school district, and open to 4-year-olds who live in the district. Some districts hold classes in their own schools; many also place seats at local child care centers and preschools. White Plains, for example, runs its program at the YMCA, United Preschool, and Little Disciples. Ask your district which sites it uses, or check the list below.
Last year's deadlines show how early some districts move: Putnam Valley closed registration on December 31, 2025, New Rochelle's first lottery round ran January 7 to 30, 2026, White Plains applications were due April 17, and Croton-Harmon closed June 3, 2026. If your child turns 4 by December 1, 2027, check your district's page now. Katonah-Lewisboro is taking applications now with a deadline in late October 2026, Somers opened applications on October 1, and South Orangetown opens December 9.
Statewide, New York added $563 million a year for pre-K starting in 2026-27, and 53 Mid-Hudson districts are projected to add seats. Half-day programs stop receiving state pre-K aid in 2028-29.
District by district
“Check with district” means the district's website didn't say when we checked on October 1, 2026. It doesn't mean the district has no pre-K.
Westchester County
| District | Free pre-K | How seats are filled | 2027-28 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArdsleyCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| BedfordFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Blind Brook-RyeCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Briarcliff ManorCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| BronxvilleCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Byram HillsCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| ChappaquaFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Croton-HarmonFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Dobbs FerryFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| EastchesterCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| EdgemontFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| ElmsfordFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| GreenburghFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| HarrisonCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Hastings-on-HudsonCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Hendrick HudsonFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| IrvingtonCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Katonah-LewisboroFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Applications open now; deadline in late October 2026 (exact date to be posted); lottery in early November. |
| LakelandFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| MamaroneckFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Mount PleasantFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Mount VernonFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| New RochelleFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Lottery opens Jan 6, 2027; first-round deadline Jan 29; placements start Feb 2, 2027. |
| North SalemFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| OssiningFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| PeekskillFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| PelhamCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| PleasantvilleFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Pocantico HillsFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| Port Chester-RyeFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| RyeCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Rye NeckCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| ScarsdaleCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| SomersFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Applications opened Oct 1, 2026 and close Jan 15, 2027. |
| TuckahoeFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| TarrytownsFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| ValhallaFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| White PlainsFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Yonkers Public SchoolsFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| YorktownFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
Also compare preschools in Westchester County.
Putnam County
| District | Free pre-K | How seats are filled | 2027-28 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrewsterFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| CarmelFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| GarrisonFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| HaldaneFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| MahopacFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Putnam ValleyFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
Also compare preschools in Putnam County.
Rockland County
| District | Free pre-K | How seats are filled | 2027-28 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| ClarkstownFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| East RamapoFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| NanuetFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| North RocklandFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| NyackFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Pearl RiverFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Ramapo (Suffern)Free pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Applications open in January 2027 (exact date not posted). |
| South OrangetownFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Applications open Dec 9, 2026; complete applications by Feb 5, 2027 enter the lottery. Info night Dec 7, 2026. |
Also compare preschools in Rockland County.
Dutchess County
| District | Free pre-K | How seats are filled | 2027-28 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArlingtonFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| BeaconFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| DoverFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Hyde ParkFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| MillbrookFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Northeast (Webutuck)Free pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| PawlingFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Pine PlainsCheck with district | Check with district | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| PoughkeepsieFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| Red HookFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| RhinebeckFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| SpackenkillFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| WappingersFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Opens January 2027; deadline end of February 2027; lottery in March 2027 (months only; confirm with district). |
Also compare preschools in Dutchess County.
Orange County
| District | Free pre-K | How seats are filled | 2027-28 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChesterFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| CornwallFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| FloridaFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| GoshenFree pre-K · Check with district | Yes | Check with district | Not posted yet |
| Greenwood LakeFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Highland Falls-Fort MontgomeryFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| MiddletownFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Registration Mar 10 to Mar 25, 2027; lottery Jun 4, 2027. |
| Minisink ValleyFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Monroe-WoodburyFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| NewburghFree pre-K · Registration | Yes | Registration | Not posted yet |
| Pine BushFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Port JervisFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| TuxedoFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Valley (Montgomery)Free pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| Warwick ValleyFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
| WashingtonvilleFree pre-K · Lottery | Yes | Lottery | Not posted yet |
Also compare preschools in Orange County.
Local programs that host free pre-K seats
These preschools and child care centers are named by their school district as 2026-27 free pre-K (UPK) sites. Seats are assigned through the district, so apply through your district, not the program. Districts can change their sites for 2027-28, so check your district's list when applications open.
A program is included when its district names it and it matches a single licensed location near that district. Sites can change for 2027-28. Checked October 1, 2026.
Westchester County
- Chappaqua: Play Care Early Learning Center (Chappaqua)
- Elmsford: YMCA at Holy Name of Jesus (Valhalla)
- Greenburgh: Lois Bronz Children's Center (White Plains)
- Hendrick Hudson: A Rising Star Children's Center (Croton-on-Hudson); Family YMCA at Tarrytown, Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary (Buchanan); Family YMCA at Tarrytown, Furnace Woods Elementary (Cortlandt Manor)
- Lakeland: YMCA at Lincoln-Titus Elementary (Crompond); YMCA at Thomas Jefferson Elementary (Yorktown Heights)
- Mamaroneck: Healthy Kids at Central Elementary (Larchmont)
- New Rochelle: Alef Bet Preschool (New Rochelle); Family Services of Westchester, Lecount Place (New Rochelle); JCC of Mid-Westchester, Wilmot Road (Scarsdale); Preschool Learning Center (New Rochelle); The Learning Experience, Bally Place (New Rochelle); The Little Bumblebee, Huguenot Street (New Rochelle); Weekday Nursery School (New Rochelle); Westchester Torah Academy (New Rochelle); WestCOP Children's Center for Learning (New Rochelle)
- Pleasantville: YMCA at Holy Rosary (Hawthorne)
- Valhalla: YMCA at Holy Name of Jesus (Valhalla)
- White Plains: Little Disciples (White Plains); United Preschool (White Plains); YMCA on Hamilton Avenue (White Plains)
- Yorktown: YMCA at French Hill School (Yorktown Heights)
Putnam County
- Brewster: Creative Kids Childcare (Brewster)
- Mahopac: Country Knolls at Mahopac Falls School (Mahopac); Pine Grove at Mahopac Falls School (Mahopac); YMCA at Mahopac Falls School (Mahopac)
- Putnam Valley: YMCA at Putnam Valley Elementary (Putnam Valley)
Rockland County
- East Ramapo: Haverstraw Head Start, Maple Avenue (Haverstraw); Head Start Spring Valley (Spring Valley); Jawonio (New City); Lil Genies Learning Center (Congers); Little Lambs Pre-K (Spring Valley); Rockland Worksite Day Care (Pomona); Smarty Pants (New City); Sonshine Community Nursery & Day Care (New City)
- Nanuet: Nanuet Family Resource Center at Miller Elementary (Nanuet)
- Nyack: Benim Academy of Pearl River (Pearl River); Benim Scholastic Academy (New City); Building Blocks Daycare (Garnerville); Haverstraw Day Care (West Haverstraw); Haverstraw Head Start, Maple Avenue (Haverstraw); Jawonio (New City); KinderCare, Route 59 (Suffern); Learning Ladder Child Care Center (West Haverstraw); Little Lambs Pre-K (Spring Valley); Nyack Head Start (Nyack); Rockland Worksite Day Care (Pomona); Smarty Pants (New City); Sonshine Community Nursery & Day Care (New City); The Jan & Niles Davies Learning Center (West Haverstraw); Tutor Time New City (New City)
- Pearl River: Benim Academy of Pearl River (Pearl River); Benim Scholastic Academy (New City); Building Blocks Daycare (Garnerville); Haverstraw Day Care (West Haverstraw); Haverstraw Head Start, Maple Avenue (Haverstraw); Jawonio (New City); KinderCare, Route 59 (Suffern); Learning Ladder Child Care Center (West Haverstraw); Little Lambs Pre-K (Spring Valley); Nyack Head Start (Nyack); Rockland Worksite Day Care (Pomona); Smarty Pants (New City); Sonshine Community Nursery & Day Care (New City); The Jan & Niles Davies Learning Center (West Haverstraw); Tutor Time New City (New City)
Dutchess County
- Poughkeepsie: Astor Early Childhood Center, Delafield Street (Poughkeepsie); Day One Early Learning Community (Poughkeepsie); North Star Academy (Poughkeepsie)
- Wappingers: Astor Early Childhood Center, Sheafe Road (Wappingers Falls); Blossoming Minds, 10 Lafayette Court (Fishkill); Cinnamon Tree Children's Center (Hopewell Junction); Kid's Place Learning Center (Fishkill); Taconic Innovations (Wappingers Falls)
Orange County
- Middletown: First Steps Early Learning Day Care Academy (Middletown); Middletown Day Nursery (Middletown); Morrison Lab School (Middletown)
- Minisink Valley: Bright Beginnings (Middletown); Little Learners (Westtown); Little Munchkins (Otisville); YMCA First Steps Preschool (Middletown)
- Monroe-Woodbury: Little Pals Preschool (Monroe)
- Newburgh: Head Start of Eastern Orange County (Newburgh); Little Harvard School (New Windsor)
- Valley (Montgomery): Learning Together (Montgomery); Montgomery Nursery School (Montgomery)
Sources
- New York Education Law § 3602-e: age 4 on or before December 1.
- NYSED, Universal Prekindergarten for 2026-27 and beyond: lotteries and waitlists, the 2028-29 requirement, and half-day aid.
- Governor's office, September 2, 2026: the $563 million increase and the Mid-Hudson district count.
- Each district's own pre-K or registration page, linked in the tables above.
- Each district's own list of its pre-K sites, linked by district name in the list of local programs.
Districts that mainly serve children in residential or hospital programs aren't listed, and Kiryas Joel had no website to check. Dates change; the district's page is the final word.