Here's the bad news: Many of the spots at the most desirable schools are for half-day pre-k programs, which means you need to have some other child-care for the rest of the day.

Here's the good news:

There are lots of full day programs with spots available too.

There are spots at some of NYC's most desirable public elementary schools, like PS 3 and PS 40 in coveted District 2 and many others all over New York.

Nabbing a spot in, even a half-day pre-k program, means you've got a spot for K. So if you don't live in the zone or district for a good school, but can grab one of these pre-K spots, you are in for elementary.

It's free Pre-K. Even half a day, five days a week is more than you get at a lot of private pre-K programs.

How do you get one of these spots? Go to the DOE site for the lists of schools with available pre-k seats for 2008-2009 school year and look for the schools near you. When you find the school you want to register for, just show up with the appropriate documentation as listed on the DOE site to register. I don't know yet if it is first come first served or if they are taking applications and will prioritize for kids in the zone and district. I will post that info when I get a response from the DOE. But you have nothing to lose, if I had a 4 year old I'd be running out to register right now.

Don't know what schools are near you? Look at the DOE district map to determine the districts closest to you.

Does this debacle mean that the new centralized pre-K admissions system is tragically flawed...uh, no comment, but can't wait till they roll it out to Kindergarten next year.

[Read more at Inside Schools]