New Yorkers can apply to the jingle contest at nyc.gov/jingle and are share submissions using #NYC2KJingle
*** WATCH HERE: Cardi B and the Mayor announce: 2-K is coming to New York! ***
Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Bronx-born rapper, parent and former New York City Public School student Cardi B announced that applications for the City’s first 2-K program will open June 2 and run through June 26, 2026, marking a major step toward universal, free child care for two-year-olds.
Families will be able to apply for 2-K seats in school districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27, with offers released in August.
To build momentum ahead of the application opening, the administration is launching a citywide 2-K application jingle competition, inviting New Yorkers to submit original 15 or 30-second jingles encouraging families to apply. A panel of special guest judges will review submissions before New Yorkers vote to select a winner. The winning entry will become the official 2-K theme for New York City and play on the radio.
“As Cardi B says: “I can get ’em both. I don’t wanna choose.” With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, families have been forced to choose between affordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care in the greatest city in the world.”
“Child care is very important. Sometimes us women can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids,” said Cardi B in the video announcement.
“The launch of 2-K marks an important milestone for early childhood education in New York City. Expanding access to early care and learning for two-year-olds helps children build strong foundations for language, social development, and learning, while supporting families during an important stage of their child’s development,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “This is an important step as we continue building a stronger, more connected birth-to-five early childhood system for New York City families.”
Submissions to the 2-K jingle contest can be made at nyc.gov/jingle. Submissions must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026. Full entry rules and guidelines are available at nyc.gov/jingle.
The 2-K program is New York City’s answer the urgent need for free, accessible child care for two-year-olds. Announced last month, the program will provide free child care to any family that needs it, regardless of ZIP code, income or immigration status.
The program will launch this fall with 2,000 free seats and expand to universal access within four years.
NYC Public Schools will share additional details, including final provider locations, with families and community partners in the coming weeks.
Watch the video here: Cardi B and the Mayor announce: 2-K is coming to New York!
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