Apply to Teach in New York City Public Schools

Where To Teach: 3-K and Pre-K for All

There are 1,800 Pre-K & 3K programs meeting the needs of families in every community in New York City. Explore the interactive Pre-K and 3K Finder Maps to find early childhood opportunities near you. 

Universal Features 

  • Full Day: 6 hours and 20 minutes; 180 days a year 
  • Eligibility: Any child who lives in New York City (i.e. the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island), and was born in 2021 (4 year olds) and 2022 (3 year olds) 
  • Class Size: 18 students: 2 adults, 19-20 students: 3 adults, or 15 students: 2 adults (3-year-olds) 

District Schools 

District School programs are offered at approximately 600 public elementary schools across New York City. These classes are fully integrated into their school community and operate similarly to other grades in the building. 

  • Scale: 600+ public elementary schools across New York City. 
  • Requirements: District School 3K and Pre-K program teachers must have New York State teaching certification in early childhood education. 
  • Employer: NYCPS (New York City Public Schools)| Salary & Benefits: NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) employee 
  • Available positions: New Teacher Finder 

Pre-K Centers 

Pre-K Centers are district-operated programs that serve only early childhood students and are staffed by NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) personnel. Pre-K Centers are located either in new buildings designed specifically to serve early childhood classes or existing district school buildings where space will meet the needs of each 3K and Pre-K class. 

  • Scale: 70 Pre-K Centers across New York City. 
  • Requirements: Pre-K Center program teachers must have New York State teaching certification in early childhood education. 
  • Employer: NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) | Salary and Benefits: provided by NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) 
  • Available positions: New Teacher Finder 

New York City Early Childhood Community Based Organizations (CBOs) 

New York City Early Childhood Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are independent, community-based organizations that partner with the NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) to provide free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education. 

CBOs are run by non-profits, community-based organizations, nursery schools, charter schools, day care centers, faith-based organizations. As Pre-K and 3K providers, CBOs are held to the same expectations as District Schools. CBO teachers receive the same professional development and support from NYC Public School's Division of Early Childhood Education as NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) teachers. 

Teaching early childhood in a CBO is a wonderful opportunity to gain vital experience, become an expert at classroom management, and build upon your existing skills as an early childhood educator. For the past three years, the large majority of early childhood teacher hires occurred in CBO settings. By expressing interest in CBO positions on your application, you will vastly increase the likelihood of finding an early childhood teaching position. 

  • Embedded in their community. Teachers have the opportunity to develop close relationships with families and enrich the curriculum through community ties. 
  • Flexibility and mission-driven programming. They have a strong early childhood focus, tailoring their services to our youngest learners. 
  • Typically small, close knit environment affords teachers an opportunity to collaborate, brainstorm, learn and grown as a team. 
  • Opportunities for professional development and leadership. 
  • Variety of CBOs, allowing candidates to tailor the job search to find the right fit. 

Interested NY State certified teachers applying through the New Teacher Finder have the opportunity to make their information available to CBO hiring managers in Step 3 by selecting “Yes” to “Would you like your application made available to CBO hiring managers looking for early childhood educators?” 

  • Scale: There are over 1,150 CBOs across New York City. 
  • Requirements: Diverse employment opportunities in CBOs for both certified and not-yet-certified teacher candidates. 
  • Employer: Each CBO employs its own teachers; not NYCPS (New York City Public Schools). | Salary & Benefits: independently provided by each CBO, varies based on organization. Not NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) employees. 
  • Available positions: New Teacher Finder (certified candidates) or Early Childhood Teacher Finder (not-yet-certified candidates) 
“When the chance to teach full day pre-K opened up in my school in 2009, I jumped. It’s an exciting time. The Chancellor has a wonderful vision for the children.”
Phyllis Berk, Pre-K Teacher, Queens