Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul Extend 2-K Offers to More Than 2,000 Children, Announce More Than 5,700 Applications Submitted

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 2,000 children are receiving offers to join New York City’s inaugural 2-K class. The Mayor and Governor also announced that following the City’s first-ever 2-K application season, more than 5,700 families applied for just over 2,000 seats – clear evidence of the extraordinary demand for free, universal child care across the five boroughs. Each free 2-K seat will save New York City families an average of $26,000 a year.

Among families receiving initial offers, 82% are matched with one of their top three choices, and more than half are receiving their first-choice program. 99% of all offers are to a program listed on a family’s application. As Mayor Mamdani announced earlier this year, the majority of seats will be full-day and full-year.

“The overwhelming demand for 2-K shows what families across the city have known for years: New Yorkers need free, universal child care, and they need it now,” said Mayor Mamdani. “More than 5,700 families applied because affordable child care allows New York families to stay in the city they love. From our 2K for 2-K race in Fort Tryon Park to building sandcastles with families in the Rockaways, our administration travelled across the city to ensure families had the information they needed to apply. That’s how government should work, and this is only the beginning. Together with Governor Hochul, we’ll keep expanding 2-K until every family that wants a seat can get one.”

“Thousands of families across NYC are applying for childcare for their two-year-olds, making clear that this is the kind of opportunity that families have been waiting generations for,” Governor Hochul said. “Starting a family while working full-time was nearly impossible for me, which is why I’ve made it my mission to make sure no parent has to choose between their career and their children. I’m proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani in delivering these first 2-K seats, and I’ll continue putting New York on a path to universal childcare, supporting families across the state.”

“When our kids have access to the high-quality care and early learning we will see in 2-K classrooms across the city, we are giving them the strongest possible foundation for everything that comes next,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “Today’s offers represent more than seats in a classroom – they represent peace of mind for parents, opportunity for children, and another step toward making universal child care a reality for every New Yorker.”

“We are giving our youngest New Yorkers the high-quality early learning experiences that set the foundation for a lifetime of success in school and beyond,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “The overwhelming response from families shows just how urgently this program is needed, and we're excited to welcome New York's cutest and their families into our schools this fall. We remain committed to working alongside the Mayor and Governor to grow 2-K until every family who wants a seat has one.”

On the eighth day of his administration, Mayor Mamdani announced the creation of more than 2,000 free 2-K seats — the first program of its kind in New York City history — in partnership with Gov. Hochul. The inaugural seats are available at child care centers and family child care homes across five initial school districts. The overwhelming response from families will help guide the administration’s continued expansion of 2-K, including adding seats within the first five districts in the years ahead. By the end of Mayor Mamdani’s first term, every family in New York City that wants a 2-K seat will have access to one.

Since launching 2-K earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani has led an all-of-government campaign to ensure families across the city knew about the opportunity and had the resources they needed to apply. In May, the Mayor announced the first batch of providers that would offer 2-K seats. Days later, the Mayor and Governor joined students from Sheldon R. Weaver Child Care Center on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk to officially launch the application period.

As the application deadline approached, Mayor Mamdani partnered with New York Road Runners to host a 2K for 2-K race in Fort Tryon Park, encouraging families to submit applications before the deadline. Mayor Mamdani also partnered with Bronx-born rapper Cardi B and Washington Heights native Lin-Manuel Miranda to launch a 2-K jingle contest. Nearly 13,000 New Yorkers voted to select Allegra Levy’s song, which was recorded in English and Spanish.

Families who did not receive an initial offer will be contacted directly with information about waitlist options as additional seats become available in the coming weeks. Families may continue to join 2-K waitlists, regardless of whether they applied in June.

Later this year, the City will announce details for the 2027 expansion of 2-K, with plans to serve about 12,000 children, including families on Staten Island.

“The enthusiasm we've seen from families speaks for itself. New Yorkers are asking for a stronger early childhood system that supports children from the very beginning and gives parents greater stability,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, Chair of the NYC Council’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education. “Today's offers are an encouraging start, and I look forward to continuing the work of growing this program in the years ahead.”

“Expanding 2K will give thousands more New Yorkers the ability to return to work or pursue careers without the obstacle of inaccessible or cost-prohibitive childcare,” said Council Member and Education Committee Chair Eric Dinowitz. “Besides giving our 2-year-olds a headstart on their education, this program will lessen the burden on our working families, which is transformative for our children and our city. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for making this important investment into the future of our families and our children.”

“I thank Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for making this important investment in New York City's children and families. One of the best investments the City can make is in our youngest New Yorkers. High-quality early education gives kids a strong start, helps parents stay in the workforce, and supports working families. Building on the success of Pre-K and 3-K will strengthen New York City for years to come,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer.

“The response from families sends a powerful message: New Yorkers are ready for truly universal childcare,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “More than 5,700 families chose to begin their children’s educational journey at age two, and that is a resounding endorsement of early learning as a foundation for lifelong success. This overwhelming demand makes one thing clear, working families need affordable, high-quality childcare that allows parents to stay in the workforce while giving children the strongest possible start. I am proud to stand with Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul in expanding universal childcare and making that vision a reality. I will continue fighting in the Council to grow access, strengthen our early childhood workforce and provider network, and secure the investments needed so every family — regardless of their ZIP code — can access these opportunities.”

“Before a child can find their voice in the world, we must decide what kind of world will receive them. I commend Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for coming together around a responsibility greater than any one office or level of government: giving our children the care and opportunity they deserve. Universal child care is more than a public program; it is a declaration that care belongs within the architecture of justice. When government stands beside families from the very beginning, it does more than meet a need — it widens the horizon of what every child may one day become,” said State Senator Robert Jackson.

“New York's progress towards universal childcare is creating hope right here in the Bronx. The 2,000 2-K offer letters mark an exciting step for New York families dreading the high cost of childcare. I want to thank Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, and their teams for prioritizing this issue and for their commitment to building an affordable, accessible childcare system for every New York family,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

“New Yorkers need stronger support systems that make it possible to raise families and build their futures right here in our city. These new 2-K offers demonstrate that supporting families is a commitment backed by meaningful action. Through this expansion, New York is providing much-needed financial relief for working families while giving more children the opportunity to begin their educational journey in New York City,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

“For thousands of families across our city, 2-K will be a major game-changer — ensuring our residents do not have to choose between their careers and caring for their children,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “As the cost of living continues to skyrocket and too many residents in our city struggle to afford basic necessities, this initiative will help ease a financial burden that affects too many of our working-class New Yorkers. I am grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani for prioritizing this important issue, and I look forward to welcoming New York City`s inaugural 2-K class to a system that gives every young learner the strong start they deserve.”

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