Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced initial offers for more than 2,000 children in New York City’s first 2-K program after over 5,700 families applied. The initiative is expected to save participating households about $26,000 per year; 82% of initial matches were placed among a family’s top three choices and more than half got their first choice. The city has launched waitlists for additional seats and plans a 2027 expansion to serve roughly 12,000 children, including Staten Island families.
Mamdani and Hochul Announce More Than 2,000 Free 2‑K Seats for NYC Families — Program Could Save Households ~$26,000 Annually
Mamdani, Alongside Hochul, Announces Over 2,000 Free Child Care Offers For NYC Families
More than 2,000 New York City children have been offered seats in the city’s inaugural 2-K program after a first-year application pool of over 5,700 families, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced.
The city says the initiative is expected to save participating families an average of about $26,000 per year. Of the families who received initial offers, 82% were matched with one of their top three preferred providers, and more than half secured their first choice. Mamdani unveiled the 2-K program in April and noted that most seats will be full-day and available year-round.
Inaugural seats are being offered at child care centers and licensed family child care homes across five school districts. City officials emphasized that the program aims to help families cope with New York City’s high cost of living by ensuring stable, age-appropriate care for two-year-olds.
"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," Mamdani said. "More than 5,700 families applied because affordable child care allows New York families to stay in the city they love."
Mamdani noted the strong turnout followed a citywide outreach campaign to share application information, from community events like a 2K race in Fort Tryon Park to family activities in the Rockaways. "That's how government should work, and this is only the beginning," he said, adding that the administration will continue expanding the program to meet demand.
"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."
Families who did not receive an initial offer will be provided information about waitlist options, and those who missed the initial application period may also join waitlists as additional seats become available. The city plans to release details later this year about a 2027 expansion expected to serve roughly 12,000 children, including families on Staten Island.
What comes next: The city will continue outreach to sign up eligible families, phase in more seats, and publish specifics for the 2027 rollout. Officials say the goal is to expand access until every family that wants a seat can get one.
Help us improve.
