Families, childcare and schools in New York City

1. Find your zoned school by calling 311 or searching your address in the NYC Public Schools school search.
2. Contact the zoned school directly to register. If you have no zoned school, need help, or have a high school student, book an appointment at a Family Welcome Center (718-935-2828; Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; in person or virtual).
3. Bring: proof of your child's age (birth certificate, passport or baptism record), immunization records and the latest report card if you have them, and two documents showing your address, for example a lease, a utility bill from the last 60 days, a rent receipt, a pay stub with your home address or an unexpired government ID with your address, such as an IDNYC card.

Students in temporary housing do not have to show these documents to enroll; the school registers them provisionally and helps obtain the paperwork.

All students from child care to grade 12 need DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella and hepatitis B. Children under five in child care or Pre-K also need Hib, PCV and a yearly flu vaccine (by the end of December). Students need a Tdap booster by grade 6 and MenACWY by grade 7.

A child who is missing vaccines can start school after the first dose and must complete the series on schedule. The school sends a notice saying how many days you have; a child who is still not vaccinated after the final day is excluded until you show the vaccine record. Ask your child's doctor first; the NYC Health Department also has a walk-in immunization clinic, with services regardless of immigration or insurance status. Bring translated records from abroad to your first appointment.

• Pre-K is for four-year-olds: there is a Pre-K seat for every four-year-old in New York City, and families who apply by the deadline receive an offer, though not necessarily for their first choice.
• 3-K is for three-year-olds; offers depend on available seats and priorities, and many programs have more applicants than seats.
• School Day seats (about 6 hours 20 minutes a day, September to June) are free. Extended Day and Year seats are free or low-cost depending on family income and needs.
• For fall 2027: children born in 2023 apply for Pre-K and children born in 2024 for 3-K. Applications are expected to open on 13 January 2027 and close on 26 February 2027 (subject to change).
• Apply online through MySchools, by phone at 718-935-2009 (interpretation in over 200 languages) or in person at a Family Welcome Center. After the deadline you can still join waitlists.

Child Health Plus covers children aged 18 and under in New York State who have no other insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid, regardless of immigration status. Most families pay $0 to $60 a month depending on income, with no copays. Apply through NY State of Health or call 855-355-5777. See Health insurance in the United States.

The federal Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 (2025 tax year). It requires a Social Security number valid for employment for each child and for the taxpayer, issued by the return's due date. Ask about state and City credits when you file; NYC Free Tax Prep helps families with incomes up to $97,000 for free. See Income tax in the United States.

Ask your school or Family Welcome Center about support for students learning English and about interpretation for parents. For immigration questions, the City's Immigration Legal Support Hotline (800-354-0365) refers families to free legal help.