Early Childhood (PreK3 and PreK4)

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Jersey City offers free public education starting at age 3.

Find more details here: JCBOE Early Childhood Programs

Check PreK3 eligibility

If your child will be 3 on or before October 1 of the school year, they are eligible for PreK3.

Enter a birthdate and school year to check eligibility.

Early childhood options at a glance

The city delivers PreK3/PreK4 seats through different providers, summarized below.

Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDC)

District-run centers that provide JCPS PreK3/PreK4 seats with district staff, curriculum, and support services. Families apply through the district’s Universal Pre-K application and are assigned a site based on availability.

Public schools with PreK3

A growing number of neighborhood schools now offer PreK3/PreK4 seats on campus. Families apply through the district’s Universal Pre-K application to their zoned school. Check with your zoned school. Find your zoned school

Contracted childcare centers

Independent childcare centers delivering district-funded PreK3/PreK4 seats. Explore the list and map below to contact centers directly for tours and enrollment.

English/Spanish Dual Language Education

Jersey City offers English/Spanish dual language education in select schools (PS #3, PS #5 and PS #6) beginning in PreK4. To be considered, families submit the Jersey City PreK application and also enter the school’s dual language lottery. Seats are limited and placement is not guaranteed. Learn more about dual language programs.

Application

Applications are typically due in March. Confirm exact dates and required documents with the district and individual centers respectively.

Contracted childcare centers

The following centers have contracts with the city that enables them to provide free education starting at preK3. They follow the same curriculum (high scope) that is followed by the public schools, and observe the same holidays and school closures. Most of them used to only offer preK3 options, but some have recently expanded to add preK4 as well. Families should contact individual centers to confirm grades offered, tour availability, application steps, and timelines.

Contracted childcare centers list

Source: JCPS contracted childcare centers (PDF) for 2025-2026

CHILDREN’S ACADEMY DAYCARE CENTER

2281 Kennedy Blvd

201-433-1182

GREATER BERGEN COMMUNITY ACTION (HEAD START) / CURRIES WOODS

65-67 Ruby Brown Terrace

201-884-1050

GREATER BERGEN COMMUNITY ACTION (HEAD START) / LINCOLN PARK

330 Duncan Ave

201-884-1050

GREATER BERGEN COMMUNITY ACTION (HEAD START) / MARION

57 Dales Avenue

201-884-1050

GREATER BERGEN COMMUNITY ACTION (HEAD START) / NELSON AVE

93 Nelson Ave

201-884-1050

HAPPY FACE DAYCARE

379 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ

201-963-5202

STARTING POINTS OF HUDSON COUNTY

254 Bartholdi Ave

201-433-8252