Come visit the world of Early Childhood through the eyes of children.
❤️ Find Your Place at BFS
Choosing a preschool is a big decision, and we’re delighted that you’re considering Brooklyn Free Space.
Brooklyn Free Space welcomes children ages 2–5 into a warm, play-based cooperative preschool community in Park Slope. Our admissions process gives families an opportunity to learn about BFS, explore our programs, and get to know the community their child could become part of.
Whether you’re looking for your child’s first preschool experience or exploring Pre-K options, we’re here to help you understand the admissions process and take the next step.
📋 Admissions at a Glance
Learn About BFS
Explore our classrooms, approach to learning, cooperative community, tuition, and financial aid.
Apply to BFS
Complete the online BFS application and submit the application fee for the school year you're applying for.
Visit BFS
After submitting an application and application fee, families may request a tour to experience BFS in person.
Admissions & Enrollment
BFS makes admissions offers based on available spaces and our admissions priorities and lottery process.
🎟️ How Admissions Works
BFS welcomes both returning and new families each admissions season. When applications exceed available spaces, admissions priorities and our diversity lottery process are used to determine offers and establish a waitlist.
🏡 Returning Students & Siblings
Current BFS students and siblings of current or former BFS students receive priority for available spaces before the general lottery.
🎟️ The Diversity Lottery
When applications exceed available spaces, BFS uses a diversity-focused lottery process designed to support balanced and diverse classroom communities.
Applicants who identify one or more diversity indicators on the admissions application are included in an initial diversity pool. BFS seeks to fill at least half of each classroom through this pool. All remaining applicants—including diversity-pool applicants not selected during the initial round—then participate in the general lottery until available spaces are filled.
📝 New Families
New families interested in BFS should submit an online application and the required application fee. Applications received by the published admissions deadline are included in the initial admissions process.
Applications received after the initial admissions deadline are considered on a space-available basis and/or added to the appropriate waitlist.
⏳ Waitlist
Applicants who do not receive an initial offer are placed on the appropriate waitlist according to their application submission date. When a space becomes available, BFS considers applicants from the waitlist based on the age and composition of the classroom and the school’s diversity goals.
🎈 Age Eligibility
BFS serves children ages 2-5.
Private-pay applicants must meet BFS age eligibility requirements for their classroom placement. Children applying to DOE Pre-K for the 2026–2027 school year must have been born in 2022. Currently we do not offer DOE 3-K.
If you are unsure whether your child is eligible for a BFS program, please contact admissions@brooklynfreespace.orgbefore submitting an application.
📅 Important Admissions Dates
2027–2028 Admissions
🏫 November 12, 2026
Admissions Open House
6:00–7:00 p.m.
📝 November 13, 2026
Application Opens
📅 January 8, 2027
Current Student Applications Due
📅 January 15, 2027
External Applications Due
🎟️ January 22, 2027
Lottery Notifications Begin
School Tours:
November 17 & 18; December 3 & 4; December 9 & 10; January 7 & 8.
🎒Pre-K at BFS
Brooklyn Free Space participates in New York City’s Pre-K for All program, offering publicly funded Pre-K seats for eligible children. The admissions process for Pre-K differs from our private-pay preschool admissions process. Families interested in a Pre-K seat at BFS must participate in the NYC Public Schools Pre-K admissions process.
🏫 Applying for Pre-K
Families interested in attending BFS for Pre-K should include Brooklyn Free Space on their NYC Public Schools Pre-K application during the citywide application period. There is no BFS application fee for Pre-K applicants.
Pre-K placement, offers, and waitlist notifications are managed through the NYC Public Schools admissions process, not through the BFS private-pay lottery. Families who receive and accept a Pre-K offer to BFS will then complete BFS registration and enrollment requirements.NYC Pre-K Admissions →
❤️ Already a BFS Family?
Current BFS students who are eligible for Pre-K receive priority for admission to BFS Pre-K. Families must still participate in the NYC Public Schools Pre-K admissions process and include Brooklyn Free Space on their Pre-K application.
This allows current BFS children to continue within the school community while completing the required NYC Pre-K admissions process.
💰 Tuition & Fees
BFS tuition and fees help support our educators, classrooms, materials, daily snacks, and school programs.
The rates below are for the 2026–2027 school year and are provided as a reference for prospective families. 2027–2028 tuition and fees may change and will be posted once finalized.
Children enrolled through NYC Pre-K for All attend the regular Pre-K school day tuition-free. Additional BFS fees and optional programs may apply.
2026–2027 Tuition & Enrollment Fees
💵 Tuition
$27,500 annually
$2,750 per month
📝 Application Fee
$100
Waived for returning families and Pre-K for All applicants
🏫 Registration Deposit
$2,750
Nonrefundable; due with the signed enrollment agreement and Membership Fee
🤝 Membership Fee
$600 per child
Due with the registration deposit
🎨 Annual Materials Fee
$1,000
Supports classroom supplies, art and creative materials, daily snacks, and other consumables
💛 Financial Aid
BFS is committed to making our program accessible to families from a range of economic backgrounds. Need-based financial aid is available to qualifying families in the form of tuition reductions, generally ranging from 10% to 50%.
Applying for financial aid does not affect admission to BFS. Our admissions lottery is need-blind, and indicating an interest in financial aid does not affect a family's eligibility, lottery selection, or waitlist placement.
💛 Who May Apply?
Families who believe they need tuition assistance are encouraged to apply. Financial aid is generally available to families with annual household incomes below $100,000, although eligibility guidelines may vary from year to year.
Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of BFS financial-aid funds.
📝 How to Apply
Indicate on your BFS admissions application that you intend to apply for financial aid.
Families receiving an enrollment offer will then complete the financial-aid process. Families have an opportunity to review their financial-aid award before submitting the tuition-related deposit required to enroll.
📋 Applying Through SSS
BFS uses School and Student Services (SSS) to help assess a family’s financial need. Families applying for tuition assistance complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) through SSS and provide the requested financial documentation.
The SSS application fee is $60. If the fee presents a financial hardship, families may contact admissions@brooklynfreespace.org to ask about the availability of a fee waiver. When completing the application, use BFS School Code 3924.
📚 Admissions Resources
Looking for more information? Explore these helpful resources as you consider Brooklyn Free Space.
❓ Admissions FAQs →
Answers to common questions about applying and enrolling at BFS.
🤝 Our Cooperative →
Learn what it means to be part of the BFS cooperative community.
🎒 Pre-K FAQs →
Additional information for families considering Pre-K at BFS.
💌 Letter to Prospective Families →
A welcome and introduction to the BFS community.
📬 Stay Connected
Not ready to apply just yet?
Join the Brooklyn Free Space mailing list to receive admissions updates, Open House information, application reminders, and opportunities to learn more about BFS.
🌈 Ready to Take the Next Step?
We’d love to welcome you to Brooklyn Free Space.
Whether you're beginning your preschool search or already feel BFS could be the right fit for your family, we invite you to explore, visit, and learn more about our community.
