Childcare will be completely free for more than 22,000 New York City families who rely on low-cost vouchers, the city announced Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said beginning next month, the city will cover all out-of-pocket costs for families who pay a sliding scale fee to their childcare providers every week. The effort will cost the city $5.2 million in the first year, city officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor thousands of families, a weekly childcare fee means another bill they simply can\u2019t afford. Making that care truly free can make all the difference,\u201d Mamdani said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of our promise to deliver universal child care, we are eliminating these fees for families receiving childcare assistance across the city. No family should have to choose between staying in the city they love and affording care for their child. This is another step toward making affordable childcare something every New York family can count on.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mayor\u2019s announcement builds on his promise to deliver free, universal childcare to New York families and comes after the city rolled out offers for its inaugural preschool program for 2-year-olds<\/a>, which will offer free care all year and for 8- to 10-hour days this fall.<\/p>\n