3-K & Pre-K
Who can apply?
- Pre-K: Students are eligible to attend in the calendar year in which they turn 4. Families with children born in 2021 can begin Pre-K in September 2025.
- 3-K: Students are eligible in the calendar year in which they turn 3. Families with children born in 2022 can begin 3-K in September 2025.
To learn more about Pre-K, 3-K and the admissions process, please refer to NYCDOE Pre-K.
To learn about enrollment at PS 290, see our website.
We are a zoned school, and we are required to enroll students who live in District 2 AND in our specific residential zone for kindergarten through 5th grade. Per the DOE, families who live in District 2 but outside of our specific zone may apply to pre-k 4's and 3-K at our school, but zoned families receive priority. Additional questions can be directed to [email protected].
About MNS Pre-K and 3-K
PS 290 is an inclusive, caring community, where children and families are treated with respect and kindness. We currently have three full-sized Pre-K classrooms, each with a maximum of 18 students and three 3-K classrooms with 15 students. Classrooms have one certified head teacher and one assistant teacher ‘paraprofessional’.
- Pre-K and 3-K students have their own dedicated bathroom.
- Toileting skills are not required before the start of school (assistance can be provided at the beginning of the year) but students will quickly develop skills to use the bathroom independently, part of their emotional and physical growth.
- A free breakfast and lunch are served each day in the classroom. Students may also bring their own healthy lunch. Meals served and brought in are nut-free. All students bring water and an afternoon snack. For more information, see https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/school-meals
- Rest: all students have a rest time / nap time in the afternoon. Pre-K rest time is approximately 30 minutes and 3-K rest time is about 60 minutes.
- Our Pre-K and 3-K students play outside on a padded playground turf and in our 4th floor vast open space.
Our classrooms are planned with thoughtful and purposeful design to hold exploratory learning centers to permit the development of creativity, independence, and group collaboration. The centers can and do change over the course of the year as the children’s interests change and as they progress along their learning journey.
To see a short video about our school,
please click here
please click here
School Hours
The school day is the same as the rest of the school, around 8:20am - 2:40pm, with slight adjustments for staggered arrival and dismissal with other grades.
The school day is the same as the rest of the school, around 8:20am - 2:40pm, with slight adjustments for staggered arrival and dismissal with other grades.
After school classes are available for Pre-K 4 students only, for a fee, from 2:45-5:30pm. See details.
Daily activities include learning exploratory center times, whole group circle times, small group work, outside playtime, lunch, rest time, snack, and a visit with one of our specialist teachers for Art, Science, Gardening, Music, and Physical Education.
Curriculum
Our program offers a child-centered curriculum that provides students with opportunities to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. Our 3K and PK curriculum which is utilized across the New York City Department of Education is The Creative Curriculum.
The Creative Curriculum is a research-based, comprehensive early childhood program that supports active learning through hands-on, project-based exploration. It promotes development across all learning domains—social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language—while encouraging curiosity and creativity. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners and fosters a love of learning in a nurturing, play-based environment.
- Our classroom environments are intentionally designed to be a warm, welcoming, and engaging space that promotes exploration, independence, and a sense of belonging. It reflects the belief that the environment acts as a “third teacher,” supporting children's learning through thoughtfully arranged interest areas, accessible materials, and consistent routines. This approach encourages children to make choices, collaborate with peers, and engage deeply in play-based learning that builds foundational skills across all developmental areas.
- Play is an important part of the students’ day, as play develops the “whole child”. Through carefully designed learning exploratory centers, children have many opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of a range of concepts. The learning exploratory centers also provide teachers the opportunities to foster the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of each child.
“Play is the work of the child.”-Maria Montessori
Teaching Credentials
Our Head Teachers hold Early Childhood NY State Certification, a Masters Degree in Education, and meet the criteria put forth by the NYCDOE. They are members of the PS 290 staff.
Applying for Kindergarten after being enrolled in Pre-K
Even if your child attends Pre-K at PS 290, you MUST follow the procedures and apply for kindergarten during the kindergarten admission process for the following year. Enrollment in a Pre-K program does not lead to automatic enrollment in kindergarten.
Even if your child attends Pre-K at PS 290, you MUST follow the procedures and apply for kindergarten during the kindergarten admission process for the following year. Enrollment in a Pre-K program does not lead to automatic enrollment in kindergarten.