MANHANNTAN (WABC) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani laced up the sneakers Sunday alongside the New York Road Runners club for 2K for 2-K – a race aimed to encourage families to apply for the “new free, universal childcare seats” before the June 26 deadline.<\/p>\n
The Mamdani administration says more than “500 free universal childcare providers” will be ready for 2-year-olds this fall.<\/p>\n
Seats will be available in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. Programs on Staten Island will launch in 2027.<\/p>\n
On social media, the mayor thanked participants at the Fort Tryon Park race for showing up.<\/p>\n
The applications were made available earlier this week and will remain open through June 26 for families living in School Districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27.<\/p>\n
The initial communities that will receive 2,000 2-K seats are:
Washington Heights and Inwood
Fordham and Kingsbridge
East Brooklyn: Canarsie, Brownsville, and Ocean Hill
Ozone Park and Rockaways<\/p>\n
New York City is home to more than 50,000 2-year-olds, and city leaders say the program will eventually expand to become universal.<\/p>\n
Families can apply online through MySchools, by calling 718-935-2009, or by visiting one of the city’s Family Welcome Centers.<\/p>\n
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