In an essential step toward expanding universal child care in New York City, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have announced the first four communities that will receive free 2-K seats for two-year-olds beginning this fall.
The initiative, which aims to eventually provide child care for children from six weeks to five years old, is a central pillar of Mayor Mamdani’s universal child care agenda. The program will launch with 2,000 free seats in September 2026 and expand citywide over the next four years.
- Advertisement -
The first communities selected for the rollout include:
- School District 6: Washington Heights, Inwood and Hamilton Heights, as well as parts of Manhattanville
- School District 10: Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Marble Hill, Morris Heights, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Van Cortlandt Village and Kingsbridge, along with parts of Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford Park, Mount Hope, Claremont-Bathgate and East Tremont
- School Districts 18 and 23: Canarsie, Rugby-Remsen Village, Brownsville and Ocean Hill, as well as parts of East Flatbush-Farragut and Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate
- School District 27: Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach and the Rockaways, along with parts of Lindenwood and Springfield Gardens North
Officials said the districts were chosen based on economic need, gaps in child care access, and the readiness of local providers.
Mayor Mamdani said the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to addressing rising child care costs and supporting working families.
“Raising a child takes a village – and it takes a city government willing to step up and tackle the child care crisis head-on,” Mamdani said. “On day eight, we moved closer to making universal childcare a reality. This fall, 2,000 New York City two-year-olds will have a brighter future because of it.”
Governor Hochul emphasized that the program represents a major state investment in early childhood education.
“Raising a family in New York shouldn’t feel like a luxury, and today we’re taking another significant step to deliver universal child care,” Hochul said. “Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani and I stood together to announce the state’s historic investment in New York City’s 2-K program, delivering free child care for two-year-olds across the City.”
The program builds on existing early childhood initiatives such as 3-K for All and universal pre-kindergarten. State officials earlier committed more than $1.2 billion to support early childhood care and education in New York City, including $73 million to launch the initial 2-K seats, with funding expected to grow to $425 million next year.
By fall 2027, the 2-K program is projected to serve approximately 12,000 children across the five boroughs, with the long-term goal of offering access to every two-year-old in the city.
New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the program will help open doors for thousands of families.
“The launch of 2-K reflects our commitment to reaching families with the greatest need and building a system that grows to serve every child in every community,” Samuels said.
Several state and city leaders welcomed the initiative, including State Senator Jabari Brisport, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who said the expansion could provide financial relief for families struggling with high child care costs.
Child care advocates also praised the announcement, noting that New York City parents often spend tens of thousands of dollars annually on private day care, a burden that has forced many families to leave the city or delay having children.
The program will allow any family who needs it to apply, regardless of zip code, income level or immigration status.
Enrollment is expected to begin later this year, with rolling admissions throughout the fall to accommodate children turning two at different times. City officials said additional details about participating providers will be released in the coming weeks as planning begins with child care centers and family child care providers in the selected districts.
