by Olivia Young

Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Kingsbridge, Marble Hill and parts of Kingsbridge Heights will be among the first neighborhoods to receive free childcare for 2-year-olds, or 2-K, this fall under Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

On March 3, Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, announced five school districts across four boroughs would be considered for the 2,000 seats available. It is the first phase of what the mayor’s office said will be a city-wide universal childcare program within four years.

Greater Riverdale is a part of school district 10, which also includes Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Bedford Park, Mount Hope, Claremont-Bathgate and East Tremont.

Districts were selected based on economic need, expected demand, gaps in access and the ability of the childcare provider to take on more seats. A 2-K class will be capped at 12 students.

In early February, Amalgamated Nursery School on Orloff Avenue — embedded in the community since 1928 as part of the Amalgamated and Park Reservoir housing cooperatives — received a survey from the mayor’s office.It asked pre-assessment questions to gauge the school’s interest and needs, such as, whether it needs more seats for 3 year olds, what its hours are and if it is interested in expanding those hours.

Meryl Feigenberg, chair of Amalgamated Nursery School’s parent board, told The Press the addition of a 2-K program at Amalgamated Nursery School would better serve the neighborhood.

“Having families and children there for another year creates a stronger community,” she said. “People have more of an investment.”

Early child learning is critical and often overlooked, Feigenberg said. A free 2-K program gives families financial ease and opens up the possibility of strong education for young children. According to the American Psychological Association, 80 percent of brain development happens before age 3.

“There is an assumption many people have that early school is not that important, and little kids can just be with grandma or sit around,” she said. “High-quality programming will last and have effects through a lifetime.”

Feigenberg said the administration told Amalgamated Nursery School via email more information would be sent out in the next week.

A spokesperson from the mayor’s office confirmed a list of schools has not been determined, and applications are under review. But, all children in the district will be able to apply for the program regardless of which schools are chosen.

For parents like Jeff McGrath, a new dad to 16-month-old Caleb, the possibility of free 2-K is a relief. McGrath works as a dietician and lives in Spuyten Duyvil, and the program will allow him to return to work full-time.

“To have state subsidized daycare at two years old would just be a major difference in our household income,” he said, adding it would also help the family return to a regular routine after caring for a new baby.”

According to the mayor’s office, Hochul committed $73 million to fund the first set of free 2-K seats. By next year, that number will jump to $425 million, and is expected to serve 12,000 kids in fall 2027.

Council member Eric Dinowitz, chair of the education committee, said he was proud school district 10 was among the first to receive 2-K seats.

“Universal child care … helps ensure that a child’s zip code, income level, or immigration status never determines their opportunity,” Dinowitz said.

Applications for the 2-K program will open this summer for any child within the districts turning 2 by Dec. 31, 2026.

Keywords

NYC free 2-K program,

Zohran Mamdani universal childcare plan,

School District 10 Bronx childcare,

Riverdale 2-K program