Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)
The NYC Online Certified Teacher Application is now open for the 2024-25 school year! If you currently hold or will hold a New York State teaching certification by September 2024, you should apply through the NYC Online Certified Teacher Application for Early Childhood teaching opportunities now.
The Early Childhood Teacher Finder, the application for not-yet-certified teacher candidates, is now closed for the 2023-24 school year. If you are interested in teaching early childhood and will not be certified by September 2024, please complete the Express Interest survey below for midyear early childhood and for 2024-25 application.
3-K for All Expansion Announcement
In September 2022, the City expanded to offer 3-K to as many families as possible in the remaining sixteen school districts.
- In school districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 19, 23, 27, 31, and 32, there is a 3-K seat for every three-year-old
- In school districts 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, and 30, NYC Public Schools will offer 3-K seats to as many three-year-olds as possible
Types of Programs
Through the historic Pre-K for All and 3-K for All initiatives, New York City is leading the nation in making free, full-day, high-quality pre-K and 3-K accessible to all of its four-year-olds, three-year-olds, and infants/toddlers—an initiative propelled by great teachers. Pre-K for All and 3-K for All teachers design dynamic classroom experiences that captivate New York City’s youngest learners and instill the critical vocabulary, oral language, and problem-solving skills they need to flourish in kindergarten and beyond.
Pre-K for All and 3-K for All programs operate in a variety of settings. Early childhood educators can teach in one of 650+ district school programs or in one of more than 1,000 community-based New York City Early Childhood Education Centers (NYCEECs), operated by a diverse range of community-based organizations.
New York City Early Education Centers and Family Child Care Networks are independent organizations that contract with New York City Public Schools to provide free, full-day, high-quality early childhood programs for four-year-olds, three-year-olds, and infants/toddlers. These partnerships offer diverse options for families in all five boroughs.
Earn Your Early Childhood Certification
Applicants who want to teach pre-K or 3-K in a district school must hold or be on track to hold one of the following New York State teaching certificates to be eligible to apply:
- Early Childhood (Birth – Grade 2)
- Nursery, Kindergarten and Grades 1 – 6 (N – 6)
- Prekindergarten – Grade 6 (P – 6)
- Students with Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2)
To teach in a district school, candidates must hold one of the certificates listed above by September 1 of upcoming school year.
To teach in a community-based program, candidates must either hold or be on track to earning one of the certificates above. It is an opportunity for educators passionate about working with young children to earn their early childhood certification while teaching. NYCEEC Study Plan teachers must complete their certification within three years of being hired.
For more details on certification, please visit the NY State Department of Education website.
Diverse Teaching Opportunities
Pre-K for All and 3-K for All offer diverse teaching opportunities for educators of all certification levels. Learn more by visiting Applications + FAQs to find your pathway and apply now.
