Who Can Apply?

• Pre-K: Students are eligible to attend in the calendar year in which they turn 4. Families with children born in 2022 can begin Pre-K in September 2026.
• 3-K: Students are eligible in the calendar year in which they turn 3. Families with children born in 2023 can begin 3-K in September 2026.

To learn about the Pre-K and 3-K admissions process, refer to NYCDOE Pre-K.

Families must apply to Pre-K and 3-K through the Department of Education. The main application window ends on February 27, 2026 for the school year 2026–27 (starting in September). We continue to enroll students through the summer, space permitting.

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 information can be found on our Enrollment page.

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”).

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. There is no early arrival time for Pre-K or 3-K.

After school classes are available for Pre-K 4 students only, for a fee, from 2:45–5:30pm. See Afterschool Program for details.

Daily activities include 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.

• 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 as 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 NYC school meals.
• All students have a rest time / nap time in the afternoon — approximately 30 minutes for Pre-K and about 60 minutes for 3-K.
• Our Pre-K and 3-K students play outside on a padded playground turf and in our 4th floor open space.

Our classrooms are planned with thoughtful and purposeful design to hold exploratory learning centers that permit the development of creativity, independence, and group collaboration. The centers change over the course of the year as children’s interests change and as they progress along their learning journey.

To see a short video about our school, see our Video Tour.

Curriculum

Our program offers a child-centered curriculum that provides students with opportunities to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. Our 3-K and Pre-K 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, and is designed to meet the needs of all learners 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, and teachers have the opportunity to foster the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of each child.

Teaching Credentials. Our Head Teachers hold Early Childhood NY State Certification, a Master’s 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 Department of Education 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.