What is a New York City Early Education Center (NYCEEC)?

New York City Early Education Centers are independent organizations that contract with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) to provide free pre-k programs to eligible children and families. BFS has been a NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEEC) offering Pre-K for All since September of 2015. 

Is my child eligible for Pre-K?

Pre-K includes all children turning four during the year of admission.  For the upcoming 2021 - 2022 school year, this includes all children born in 2017, or those turning four in 2021.

How do I apply for the upcoming school year?

Interested families must apply using the centralized DOE online application in the spring and should indicate BFS as a top choice.  If matched with BFS, we will provide you with the additional Department of Education registration packet needed to complete your enrollment.

Should I fill out a BFS application?

We are asking that all pre-k applicants fill out our application, which can be found on our website’s admission page (the application fee is waived).  This will automatically add you to our waitlist and help us to assess your interest in our Pre-K program.  We highly recommend that families of eligible children that are interested in BFS attend our evening open house and school day tours.  

How many Pre-K students attend BFS each year?

Typically, we have 27 spots, including returning families. We will not know the exact number of open spots but do tend to move through the wait list.

• Rainbow:  Approximately 4 years to 4 years, 8 months. 18 students to 3 teachers (All pre-k students)

• Sunshine:  Approximately 3 years, 5 months - 3 years, 11 months. 17 students to 3 teachers (Half pre-k students)
  

What are my chances at admission to BFS?

The DOE and BFS give admission priority to currently enrolled pre-k eligible children, as well as to siblings.  BFS currently has children enrolled that will be eligible for a pre-k spot for the 2021 - 2022 school year.  Though a few families may choose to move on, we expect that most will stay on for their child’s pre-k year. 

As a Pre-K Family, what are my family’s responsibilities to the Cooperative?

Because of our Pre-K for All contract, we cannot mandate that Pre-K families fulfill the coop responsibilities that are required from the rest of our membership. That being said, as a cooperative since 1978, the cooperative spirit remains at the core of our philosophy, and we depend on the participation of all families to continue to thrive as a school community.  The pre-k families at BFS share this belief and participate as full members of the coop.  Whatever each family decides, we will continue to extend voting privileges to all families.

What are the hours and are there extended day and/or half-day options?

Normal class hours for the two pre-k classrooms: 8:50 am - 3:10 pm. 

Extended Day: Early Bird: 8:00 am - 8:50 am & After School: 3:10 pm - 6:00 pm. 

These are typical hours of operation and may be different as we respond to the needs of COVID-19 responses.

As a Pre-K family, is tuition free?

There is no tuition for children in the Pre-K for All program. That said, the pre-k grant we receive to cover tuition does not fully cover our costs. For that reason, like many public schools, we ask families for a Materials Fee.  We also ask pre-k families for a voluntary donation, which in previous years has been around $4000. The exact amount of the ask is typically sent out over the summer. This amount goes toward but does not fully cover the difference between the Pre-K grant and the cost of operation per student. Families can make this contribution all at once, at any time throughout the year, or in increments. Because of our Pre-K for All contract, we cannot require families to pay this. But for the financial health of the school, we do ask for this donation as part of our overall yearly fundraising.