NEW YORK (PIX11) — Thousands of families in New York City applied for free 2-K, which will have its inaugural run in the upcoming school year.
The city’s 2-K program will provide free early care and education for two-year-olds, according to state and city officials. Of the 2,000 seats available, more than 5,700 families submitted applications for the program.
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“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 Zohran Mamdani. “More than 5,700 families applied because affordable child care allows New York families to stay in the city they love.
Of those that applied and received initial offers, 82% are matched with one of their top three choices, while more than half are receiving offers from their first choice.
Families who did not receive an initial offer will be contacted with information about being placed on a waitlist.
Plans are underway to expand the program in 2027 to serve around 12,000 children, including families in Staten Island.
For the first year, the 2-K program is only available in select neighborhoods in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Mamdani hopes to expand the program so that it is available for every New York City family.
Andrew Cruz is a digital content producer. A native New Yorker, he joined PIX11 in 2009 as a weather producer. More of his work can be found here.