Parents scramble to find pre-k openings

On Sept. 4, the first step of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan for universal pre-kindergarten went into effect, with about 50,400 families enrolled in pre-k spots around the city, according to Department of Education data. 

While the rollout has been lauded as a success, with Mr. de Blasio fulfilling his promise to provide full-day pre-k seats to approximately 53,000 four-year-olds, the process leading up to the first day has been less than smooth sailing for some northwest Bronx parents and educators. 

On Monday, Waldo Avenue resident Salim Iddris, 33, and his wife Sadia Sahabi, 29, were still in limbo as they waited to hear back about placements for their son Fareed, 4. 

At a pre-kindergarten enrollment event held by Councilman Andrew Cohen and the New York City Department of Education on Aug. 6, Mr. Iddris and his wife received a list of pre-k sites with potential openings from a DOE representative and were enthusiastic about their prospects. 

But after following up, they discovered the spots had already been taken. 

“We think it isn’t as accurate as it’s made to seem,” said Mr. Iddris of the DOE’s website placement service. His son is currently on the waiting list for three different schools, including BedRock Preschool on Arlington Avenue, where the managing director confirmed that all the pre-k spots are full.  “It arouses excitement, and all of a sudden you get there, and there isn’t space,” he added.

It is a situation that other parents in the area are likely facing, as many Community Based Early Childhood Centers (CBECCs) had filled their spots before even the city’s public schools announced their pre-k placements. 

In June, the 57 percent of applicants in Community School District 10 who did not place in a public school program were expected to find spots at CBECCs. 

But some programs, like Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC), already had wait lists when the news about public school seats was released.