A husband and wife who own a citywide chain of early-childhood education centers admitted yesterday that they stole $3 million in taxpayer cash meant to finance meals for poor schoolkids.

Ziming Shen and his wife, Joanna Fan — administrators of a nonprofit organization that runs Red Apple nursery, preschool and kindergarten programs — pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to embezzling government funds to pay for a range of personal expenses.

The couple used the tax money to buy exclusive Manhattan condominiums, and financed renovations at their other for-profit educational centers, officials say.

Shen faces up to four years in prison and Fan up to six.

In addition to making them pay up to million in restitution, a judge could also impose $6 million in fines.