Parents in select neighborhoods began receiving acceptance letters for their kids to the city's free early childhood education program.

This fall, the mayor's 3-K For All program kicks off, providing free full-day education to 3-year-olds. It's an expansion of the existing Pre-K For All program.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says more than 2,000 families have applied for the program in the South Bronx, Brownsville, Ocean Hill and East New York. Studies have found that students who attend two years of preschool compared to one are more prepared for kindergarten.

According to the mayor's office, the city will expand the free full-day program to at least six more districts by fall 2020.

The mayor says in order to reach all 32 districts, the city will need support from the state and federal government.