Enroll in free pre-k to give your child the early learning advantage that leads to success in school, college and life.
Newark residents have various pre-k options to choose from in district schools, charter schools, and community-based providers as well as Head Start programming.
District Pre-K
Free 6-hour pre-k in schools managed by Newark Public Schools (NPS)
Community Based Pre-K Providers
Publicly funded, privately managed schools that contact with NPS to offer free 6-hour pre-k
Charter School Pre-K Programs
Charter Schools are public schools not ran by the NPS. Charter Schools are free of charge and serve all grades.
Head Start
Head Start is a family-oriented preschool program that offers nutrition, education, health and support services including individualized services, health and dental screenings, family support, community resources and services to meet special needs.
Head Start programming can be found in some district schools and community-based provider settings. Proof of income is required for Head Start. Parents must pre-certified for Head Start before or during the application process at any of the current Head Start locations.
All pre-k programs offer small class sizes, proven curriculum, and certified staff. Children receive high quality learning in reading and writing, math, science, visual & performing arts, as well as health, physical education and social living development.
Applying is fast, free and easy.
In-District and Charter Schools: Apply online at www.newarkenrolls.org or in-person by completing a paper application at any district school.
Community-Based Pre-K Provider: Apply in-person at the provider location on ongoing basis.
| School | Address | Ward | Phone Number | Provider | Head Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abington Avenue School | 209 Abington Avenue Newark, NJ 07107 | North | 973-268-5230 | NPS District | No |
| Ann Street | 30 Ann Street 55 Komorn Street Newark, NJ 07105 | East | 973-522-4078 | NPS District | No |
| Benjamin Franklin School | 42 Park Avenue Newark, NJ 07104 | Central | 973-268-5250 | NPS District | No |
| Branch Brook School | 228 Ridge Street Newark, NJ 07104 | North | 973-268-5220 | NPS District | No |
| Brighter Tomorrows I | 796 South Orange Avenue | West | 973-416-4141 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Brighter Tomorrows II | 578-582 Market Street | East | 973-344-1021 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Camden Street School | 281 Camden Street Newark, NJ 07103 | Central | 973-733-6994 | NPS District | Yes |
| Chen School Inc. | 24 Maiden Lane | Central | 973-622-5184 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Cleveland Elementary School | 388 Bergen Street Newark, NJ 07108 | Central | 973-733-6944 | NPS District | No |
| Clinton Hill Community | 420 Hawthorne Avenue | South | 973-372-8877 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Community Hills | 85 Irvine Turner Boulevard | Central | 973-621-0852 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Early Childhood Center - Central | 70 Montgomery Street Newark, NJ 07103 | Central | 973-733-7257 | NPS District | Yes |
| Early Childhood Center - North | 24 Crane Street Newark, NJ 07104 | North | 973-268-5112 | NPS District | Yes |
| Early Childhood Center - South | 255 Chancellor Avenue Newark, NJ 07112 | South | 973-705-3860 | NPS District | Yes |
| Early Childhood Center - West | 26 Speedway Avenue Newark, NJ 07106 | West | 973-351-2040 | NPS District | Yes |
| Elliott Street School | 284 First Avenue Newark, NJ 07107 | North | 973-268-5360 | NPS District | No |
| First Avenue School | 214 First Avenue Newark, NJ 07107 | North | 973-268-5240 | NPS District | No |
| Full Gospel Christian Academy | 531 South Orange Avenue | West | 973-372-1492 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Great Oaks Legacy | 823 South 16th Street | South | 973-374-7000 | Charter | No |
| Harmony House Early Learning Center | 278 South Orange Avenue | West | 973-623-8555 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Harriet Tubman School | 504 South 10th Street Newark, NJ 07103 | Central | 973-733-6934 | NPS District | No |
| Hawkins Street School | 8 Hawkins Street Newark, NJ 07105 | East | 973-465-4920 | NPS District | No |
| Hawthorne Avenue School | 428 Hawthorne Avenue | South | 973-705-3960 | NPS District | No |
| Holiness Pentecostal Church Day Care | 22 Halleck Street | North | 973-484-6777 | Community Based Provider | No |
| IEP - Ironbound | 697 Market Street | East | 973-589-8695 | Community Based Provider | No |
| IEP - Summer Place | 29 Summer Place | North | 973-350-8690 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Ironbound Children's Center | 1 New York Avenue | East | 973-589-6873 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Ivy Hill Elementary School | 107 Ivy Street Newark, NJ 07106 | West | 973-351-2121 | NPS District | No |
| Kiddie Korner Early Learning Center | 319-321 Verona Avenue | North | 973-484-5166 | Community Based Provider | No |
| King Memorial | 224 West Kinney Street | Central | 973-642-4327 | Community Based Provider | No |
| La Casa - Audrey West | 168-174 Roseville Avenue | North | 973-485-4031 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| La Casa - Edna R. Thomas | 432-437 15th Street | West | 973-242-0696 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| La Casa - Elizabeth Avenue | 43-45 Elizabeth Avenue | South | 862-237-9380 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| La Casa - Preschool Academy | 201 First Street | North | 973-350-8247 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| La Casa de Don Pedro - Broadway | 39 Broadway | North | 973-485-0850 | Community Based Provider | No |
| La Casa de Don Pedro - First Street | 202-216 First Street | North | 973-350-0530 | Community Based Provider | No |
| La Casa de Don Pedro - Park Avenue | 75 Park Avenue | North | 973-485-0850 | Community Based Provider | No |
| La Casa - St. Francis | 87-89 St. Francis Street | East | 973-344-6932 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Lafayette Street School | 205 Lafayette Street Newark, NJ 07105 | East | 973-465-4860 | NPS District | Yes |
| Leaguers - 177 Central Avenue | 177 Central Avenue | Central | 973-642-8679 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - 405 University | 405-425 University Avenue | Central | 973-643-0300 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - 731 Clinton | 731 Clinton Avenue | South | 973-481-4091 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - 750 Clinton | 750 Clinton Avenue | South | 973-371-3619 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - Deliverance | 200 South Orange Avenue | Central | 862-240-1770 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - Elm Street | 182 Van Buren Street | East | 973-901-9263 973-901-9264 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Leaguers - Judith Diggs | 302-316 16th Avenue | West | 973-399-4064 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - Metropolitan | 149 Springfield Avenue | Central | 973-353-0135 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - Orange Street | 563 Orange Street | Central | 973-642-3143 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Leaguers - Springfield Avenue | 302 Springfield Avenue | Central | 973-923-7002 | Community Based Provider | Yes |
| Lincoln Elementary School | 87 Richelieu Terrace Newark, NJ 07106 | West | 973-374-2290 | NPS District | No |
| Luis Munoz Marin School | 663 Broadway Newark, NJ 07104 | North | 973-268-5330 | NPS District | Yes |
| McKinley Elementary School | 1 Colonnade Place Newark, NJ 07104 | Central | 973-268-5270 | NPS District | Yes |
| Miller Street School at Spencer | 66 Muhammad Ali Avenue Newark, NJ 07108 | South | 973-733-6166 | NPS District | No |
| Mt. Carmel Guild Cares | 594 North 7th Street | North | 973-497-7714 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Mount Vernon School | 142 Mount Vernon Place Newark, NJ 07106 | West | 973-374-2090 | NPS District | No |
| Newark Day @ Essex County College | 303 University Avenue | Central | 973-877-3357 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Newark Day Care Center | 43 Hill Street | Central | 973-643-5710 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Newark Educators' Community Charter School | 9-11 Hill Street | Central | 973-732-3848 | Charter | No |
| North 10th Street | 284 First Avenue | North | 973-412-1171 | NPS District | No |
| Oliver Street School | 86 Oliver Street Newark, NJ 07105 | East | 973-465-4872 | NPS District | No |
| Park Elementary School | 120 Manchester Place Newark, NJ 07104 | North | 973-268-5999 | NPS District | No |
| Page Academy | 530 Central Avenue | West | 973-622-5333 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Parkside Preschool II | 354 Park Avenue | North | 973-484-0808 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Perpetual Help Day Nursery | 170 Broad Street | North | 973-484-3535 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Peshine Avenue | 433 Peshine Avenue Newark, NJ 07112 | South | 973-705-3890 | NPS District | Yes |
| Quitman Street Community School | 21 Quitman Street Newark, NJ 07103 | Central | 973-733-6947 | NPS District | Yes |
| Rafael Hernandez Elementary School | 345 Broadway Newark, NJ 07104 | North | 973-481-5004 | NPS District | No |
| Rainbow Land I | 67-71 Somme Street | East | 973-491-5084 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Rainbow Land II | 115-129 Gotthart Street | East | 973-344-1320 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Roberto Clemente Elementary School | 257 Summer Avenue Newark, NJ 07104 | North | 973-268-5291 | NPS District | No |
| Sarah Ward - Jay Street | 27 Jay Street | Central | 973-482-3593 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Sarah Ward - Lock Street | 105 Lock Street | Central | 973-645-0442 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Sarah Ward - Sanford | 406 Sanford Avenue | West | 973-371-5311 | Community Based Provider | No |
| South Street School | 104 Oliver Street Newark, NJ 07105 | East | 973-465-4880 | NPS District | No |
| St. Ann's Community Day Care | 110 16th Avenue | West | 973-642-4018 | Community Based Provider | No |
| St. Justine Preschool I | 119-137 Clifford Street | East | 973-589-3265 | Community Based Provider | No |
| St. Justine Preschool II | 184 Pacific Street | East | 973-589-6200 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Sussex Avenue Renew School | 307 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ 07107 | Central | 973-268-5200 | NPS District | No |
| The North Ward Center, Inc. - 300 Mount Prospect | 300-306 Mount Prospect | North | 973-350-0369 | Community Based Provider | No |
| The North Ward Center, Inc. - 341 Roseville Avenue | 341 Roseville Avenue | North | 973-482-8850 | Community Based Provider | No |
| The North Ward Center, Inc. - 346 Mt. Prospect Avenue | 346 Mt. Prospect Avenue | North | 973-481-1023 | Community Based Provider | No |
| The North Ward Center, Inc. - 475 Mount Prospect Avenue | 475 Mount Prospect Avenue | North | 973-412-0990 | Community Based Provider | No |
| Thirteenth Avenue/Dr. MLK, Jr. School | 359 13th Avenue Newark, NJ 07103 | West | 973-733-7045 | NPS District | Yes |
| University Heights Charter School | 74 Hartford Street | Central | 973-623-1965 | Charter | No |
| Urban League of ECCDC | 504 Central Avenue | Central | 973-624-9535 | Community Based Provider | No |
| UVSO - Ivy Hill | 475-487 Irvington Avenue | West | 973-351-7747 | Community Based Provider | No |
| UVSO - Smith Street | 179 Smith Street | West | 973-351-2151 | Community Based Provider | No |
| West Ward Early Child Development | 107 Roseville Avenue | West | 973-482-6602 | Community Based Provider | No |