Nearly three applications submitted f
Free 2-K seats to save families an average of $26,000/year
82% of families receiving one of their top three choices, while more than half of receiving offers with their first-choice
Demand from families across all five boroughs underscores the urgency of expanding access to universal child care
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 2,000 children are receiving offers to join New York City’s inaugural 2-K class. The Mayor and Governor also announced that following the City’s first-ever 2-K application season, more than 5,700 families applied for just over 2,000 seats – clear evidence of the extraordinary demand for free, universal child care across the five boroughs. Each free 2-K seat will save New York City families an average of $26,000 a year.
Among families receiving initial offers, 82% are matched with one of their top three choices, and more than half are receiving their first-choice program. 99% of all offers are to a program listed on a family’s application. As Mayor Mamdani announced earlier this year, the majority of seats will be full-day and full-year.
“The overwhelming demand for 2-K shows what families across the city have known for years: New Yorkers need free, universal child care, and they need it now,” said Mayor Mamdani. “More than 5,700 families applied because affordable child care allows New York families to stay in the city they love. From our 2K for 2-K race in Fort Tryon Park to building sandcastles with families in the Rockaways, our administration travelled across the city to ensure families had the information they needed to apply. That’s how government should work, and this is only the beginning. Together with Governor Hochul, we’ll keep expanding 2-K until every family that wants a seat can get one.”
“Thousands of families across NYC are applying for childcare for their two-year-olds, making clear that this is the kind of opportunity that families have been waiting generations for,” Governor Hochul said. “Starting a family while working full-time was nearly impossible for me, which is why I’ve made it my mission to make sure no parent has to choose between their career and their children. I’m proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani in delivering these first 2-K seats, and I’ll continue putting New York on a path to universal childcare, supporting families across the state.”
“When our kids have access to the high-quality care and early learning we will see in 2-K classrooms across the city, we are giving them the strongest possible foundation for everything that comes next,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “Today’s offers represent more than seats in a classroom – they represent peace of mind for parents, opportunity for children, and another step toward making universal child care a reality for every New Yorker.”
“We are giving our youngest New Yorkers the high-quality early learning experiences that set the foundation for a lifetime of success in school and beyond,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “The overwhelming response from families shows just how urgently this program is needed, and we're excited to welcome New York's cutest and their families into our schools this fall. We remain committed to working alongside the Mayor and Governor to grow 2-K until every family who wants a seat has one.”
On the eighth day of his administration, Mayor Mamdani announced the creation of more than 2,000 free 2-K seats — the first program of its kind in New York City history — in partnership with Gov. Hochul. The inaugural seats are available at child care centers and family child care homes across five initial school districts. The overwhelming response from families will help guide the administration’s continued expansion of 2-K, including adding seats within the first five districts in the years ahead. By the end of Mayor Mamdani’s first term, every family in New York City that wants a 2-K seat will have access to one.
Since launching 2-K earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani has led an all-of-government campaign to ensure families across the city knew about the opportunity and had the resources they needed to apply. In May, the Mayor announced the first batch of providers that would offer 2-K seats. Days later, the Mayor and Governor joined students from Sheldon R. Weaver Child Care Center on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk to officially launch the application period.
As the application deadline approached, Mayor Mamdani partnered with New York Road Runners to host a 2K for 2-K race in Fort Tryon Park, encouraging families to submit applications before the deadline. Mayor Mamdani also partnered with Bronx-born rapper Cardi B and Washington Heights native Lin-Manuel Miranda to launch a 2-K jingle contest. Nearly 13,000 New Yorkers voted to select Allegra Levy’s song, which was recorded in English and Spanish.
Families who did not receive an initial offer will be contacted directly with information about waitlist options as additional seats become available in the coming weeks. Families may continue to join 2-K waitlists, regardless of whether they applied in June.
Later this year, the City will announce details for the 2027 expansion of 2-K, with plans to serve about 12,000 children, including families on Staten Island.
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