New York City has filled up its first seats for its free 2-K childcare program, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in a joint press conference with education and city officials Tuesday.
“More than 80% received an offer to their top three choices, close to 60% receiving their first choice,” Mamdani said. “Ninety-nine percent received an offer to a program they expressed preference for. And a full 100% of these families will save more than $20,000 per child per year on childcare beginning this fall.”
According to Mamdani, interest in universal 2K was high, with the city receiving more than 5,700 applications for 2,000 seats — translating to “about three applicants for every available seat.”
The mayor first announced the 2-K program back in January along with Hochul. The program will provide full-day, full-year child care regardless of ZIP code, income or immigration status.They touted the program as a means for families to get ahead without the crushing economic strain paying for childcare, as well as it being program with a time schedule that works for working parents and guardians.
“I want to thank you for executing on a vision with such speed,” Hochul said. “This is what government is all about: work for the people but not years from now, but now when the need is so incredibly great.”
In the upcoming weeks, the city will be reaching out to families on the waitlist to go through their options, noting that historically if seats do open up and become available these families will be the first to know.