{"id":184831,"date":"2026-04-03T20:43:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/184831\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T20:43:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:43:13","slug":"mayor-mamdani-cardi-b-announce-applications-for-nycs-first-2-k-seats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/184831\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Mamdani, Cardi B announce applications for NYC\u2019s first 2-K seats"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) \u2013 Applications will open in June for the city\u2019s first free 2-K child care program<\/a>, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced with an unlikely partner Friday.<\/p>\n

Applications for the first 2,000 children will open on June 2 and close on June 26, Mamdani announced with Bronx-native Cardi B<\/a>. Only families in the following districts can apply:\u00a0 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27. Then, offers will be sent out in August.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is an important step as we continue building a stronger, more connected birth-to-five early childhood system for New York City families,\u201d Chancellor Kamar Samuels said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the city\u2019s first attempt a free child care for 2-year-olds, part of Mamdani\u2019s \u201cchild care for all\u201d agenda. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state will pay for the first two years of the program, with 2,000 kids participating the first year and 12,000 the second.<\/p>\n

Mamdani\u2019s goal is to reach universal 2-K by the end of his first term, but it\u2019s unclear who will foot the bill after the first two years.<\/p>\n

Advocates with New Yorkers United for Child Care told PIX11 News parents\u2019 overwhelming concern is location \u2013 they need a seat for their children at 2-K centers very close to home. Parents are also looking for full-day child care, versus normal school hours.<\/p>\n

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Cardi B, who filmed an announcement video with Mamdani, said it\u2019s a huge win for New York City parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cChild care is very important. Sometimes us women can\u2019t really go forward because we don\u2019t have nobody to help us take care of our kids,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here <\/a>and follow her on Twitter here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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