Apply to Teach
If you want to teach infants and toddlers, 3-K, or Pre-K in New York City, you must apply through one of the teacher application systems listed below. There are opportunities in District Schools, Pre-K Centers, and Community Based Organizations (CBOs), which are also known as NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs).
To find which application system to use, select the option below that best describes your certification status:
NY State-certified teachers
If you currently hold, or are on track to possess, a New York State teacher certification by September 1, please apply for the upcoming school year through the NYC Online Certified Teacher Application. Learn more at teachnyc.net.
Please indicate in your application if you would like your application to be made available to CBO/NYCEEC hiring managers looking for early childhood educators.
Teachers certified to teach in another state
You must be certified by New York State. If you are not, go to the New York State Department of Education’s Applicants from Other States to apply for certification through the NY State Education Department.
Not-yet certified teachers
You are welcome to apply as a study-plan teacher candidate in a CBO/NYCEEC. Study-plan candidates are eligible for several positions, including lead teacher, assistant teacher, and teacher’s aide.
To do this, complete the not-yet-certified early childhood teacher application. Please note, this application is not open all year. If the application is closed, please check back in the spring for the new application.
Certified by, or obtained degree in, another country
Please go to the NY State Higher Education website to learn more about documents and eligibility requirements to teach in NY State with a non-US degree.
Current NYCDOE/NYCPS teachers
Apply through the Open Market transfer system and search for open positions at the infants and toddlers, 3-K, and Pre-K levels.
If you are interested in applying for infants and toddlers, 3-K, or Pre-K positions at a CBO/NYCEEC, contact our office directly to discuss next steps and to learn of opportunities available near you. Email us at teachnycprek@schools.nyc.gov.
Types of Teaching Jobs and Requirements
Lead Teacher (Certified)
If you are certified in Early Childhood Education in NY State, you can be a qualified lead teacher in District Schools, Pre-K Centers, or CBOs/NYCEECs.
To qualify, you must possess, or be on track to hold by September 1, one of the following NY State teaching certificates:
- Early Childhood (Birth–Grade 2);
- Nursery, Kindergarten and Grades 1–6 (N–6);
- Prekindergarten–Grade 6 (P–6); or
- Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2)
Lead Teacher (Not Yet Certified) - CBOs/NYCEECs
Pre-K
If you are currently not certified to teach in NY State with one of the above certifications, and will not be certified by September 1, you may be able teach Pre-K as a study-plan teacher at a CBO/NYCEEC.
To be eligible for a Pre-K study-plan teacher role, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; and
- Commit to obtain a New York State Early Childhood Education teacher certification within five (5) years from the date of hire as a lead teacher in a city-contracted Pre-K class.
For more information on becoming a New York State certified teacher, visit the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives.
3-K
If you are not yet certified to teach in NY State with one of the certifications listed in the lead teacher section above, and will not be certified by September 1, you may be able to teach 3-K as a lead teacher at a CBO/NYCEEC.
To qualify as a 3-K lead teacher without a current NYS certification position, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; and
- Commit to obtain a New York State Early Childhood Education teacher certification within five (5) years from the date of hire as a lead teacher in a city-contracted Pre-K class.
You are eligible to be a study-plan 3-K lead teacher if you:
- Hold an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education; or
- Have ninety (90) or more undergraduate college credits and one year of classroom experience teaching children up to grade 2; or
- Have a Bachelor’s degree in any subject and one (1) year classroom experience teaching children up to 3rd grade.
Study-plan 3-K teachers must commit to meeting the qualifications of a lead teacher within seven (7) years from the date of hire. A qualified 3-K lead teacher must ultimately have a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and two years of teaching experience, or a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and a NYS certification.
Infants and Toddlers
If you are not-yet-certified to teach in NY State with one of the certifications listed in the lead teacher section above, and will not be certified by September 1, you may be able to teach infants and toddlers as a lead teacher at a CBO/NYCEEC.
To qualify as an infants and toddlers lead teacher without a current NYS certification position, you must:
- Hold an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education; or
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification and a study plan leading to an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education within seven (7) years; or
High school diploma or equivalent (GED), and nine (9) college credits in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, and two years’ (2) experience caring for children, and a study plan leading to an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education within seven (7) years
Assistant Teacher (Certified)
Candidates interested in an assistant teacher position at a NYC District School must hold a valid Level 1 or higher NY State Teaching Assistant Certification. Assistant teachers, teaching assistants, and paraprofessionals are often used interchangeably. For more information on assistant teacher positions in district schools, please visit:
If you would like your application to be made available to CBO/NYCEEC hiring managers looking for assistant teachers, you may do so by completing the Early Childhood Teacher Finder.
Assistant Teacher (Not Yet Certified)
The meet the minimum qualifications to be an assistant teacher in an infants and toddlers, 3-K, or Pre-K classroom at a CBO/NYCEEC, you must:
Head Start programs have additional requirements for assistant teachers, which include:
If you would like your application to be made available to CBO/NYCEEC hiring managers looking for assistant teachers, you may do so by completing the Early Childhood Teacher Finder.
Teacher’s Aide (Not Certified)
To qualify to be a teacher’s aide in an infants and toddlers, 3-K, or Pre-K classroom at a CBO/NYCEEC, you must:
- Be at least eighteen years old; and
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
If you would like your application to be made available to CBO/NYCEEC hiring managers looking for teacher’s aides, you may do so by completing the Early Childhood Teacher Finder.
Education Director
If you are an experienced early childhood educator looking for a leadership position, you can work as an education director at a CBO/NYCEEC.
To qualify for positions at a CBO/NYCEEC offering programs for children who are 24 months to 5 years old, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field of study; and
- Hold a teaching license or certificate valid for services in the early childhood or childhood grades; and
- Have at least two (2) or more years of lead teacher experience in a program for children less than six (6) years of age.
To qualify for positions at a CBO/NYCEEC offering programs for children who are under 24 months old, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field of study; and
- Have at least one (1) year of experience as a lead teacher in a program for children under 24 months of age, or six (6) college credits in infant/toddler coursework, or a study plan leading to six (6) college credits in infant/toddler coursework
If you would like your application to be made available to CBO/NYCEEC hiring managers looking for education directors, you may do so by completing the Early Childhood Teacher Finder.
Where to Teach
District Pre-K Programs
There are 1,800 Pre-K programs meeting the needs of families in every community in New York City. Explore the interactive Pre-K and 3-K Finder Maps to find early childhood opportunities near you.
- District School programs are offered at approximately 700 public elementary schools across New York City. These classes are fully integrated into their school community and operate similarly to other grades in the building.
- All District School program teachers must have NYS teaching certification in Early Childhood Education.
- Salary and benefits are provided by NYCDOE/NYCPS.
- Available positions posted: New Teacher Finder
Pre-K Centers
Pre-K Centers are district-operated programs that serve only early childhood students and are staffed by NYCDOE/NYCPS personnel. Pre-K Centers are located either in new buildings that are designed specifically to serve early childhood classes, or existing district school buildings where space will meet the needs of each 3-K and Pre-K class.
- There are approximately 100 Pre-K Centers across New York City.
- All Pre-K Center program teachers must have New York State teaching certification in Early Childhood Education.
- Salary and benefits are provided by NYCDOE/NYCPS.
- Available positions posted: New Teacher Finder
Community Based Organizations/New York City Early Education Centers
CBOs/NYCEECs are private, independent businesses that collaborate with NYCDOE/NYCPS to provide free, or low cost, full-day, high quality early childhood education. CBOs are run by daycare centers, faith-based organizations, non-profits, nursery schools, and private-pay programs. Each CBO employs its own staff. Calendar year, salaries, and benefits will vary by program.
Benefits of Teaching Pre-K in a NYCEEC
Teaching infants and toddlers, 3-K, or Pre-K in a CBO/NYCEEC is a wonderful opportunity to gain vital experience, become an expert at classroom management, and build upon your existing skills as an early childhood educator. For the past several years, a considerable amount of teacher hires occurred in CBO/NYCEEC settings. By expressing interest in CBO/NYCEEC positions on your application, you will vastly increase the likelihood of finding a teaching position.
CBOs/NYCEECs are embedded in the community. Teachers have the opportunity to develop close relationships with families and enrich the curriculum through community ties. They have flexibility and mission-driven programming. They have a strong early childhood focus, tailoring their services to our youngest learners. These are typically small, close knit environments, which afford teachers an opportunity to collaborate, brainstorm, learn and grow as a team. There are also opportunities for professional development and leadership. In addition, a wide variety of CBOs/NYCEEC allows candidates to tailor the job search to find the right fit.
- There are more than 1,000 CBOs/NYCEECs across New York City.
- There are diverse employment opportunities within CBOs/NYCEECs for both certified and not-yet-certified teacher candidates.
- Each CBO/NYCEEC employs its own teachers.
- Salary and benefits are independently provided by each CBO/NYCEEC and will vary based on organization. Employees are not NYCDOE/NYCPS employees.
- Available positions posted: New Teacher Finder (certified candidates) or Early Childhood Teacher Finder (not yet certified candidates).
Additional Resources
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