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Mamdani announces first group of free 2K providers, applications open next week
By
Karen Yi
Published May 29, 2026
Modified May 29, 2026
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By
Karen Yi
Published May 29, 2026
Modified May 29, 2026
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The Mamdani administration has announced which preschool providers will welcome the inaugural group of 2-year-olds for the city’s free 2-K program in September.
Parents are now able to review the first group of more than 550 sites — based in homes and centers — days before the application window officially opens on Tuesday. Additional sites will be added in the coming days, city officials said.
The news inches the city one step closer to realizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s promise of building a universal childcare system. This fall, the city will offer 2,000 2-year-olds free care, with most programs operating the full working day and year round. Gov. Kathy Hochul is funding the first two years of the effort, which will expand to 12,000 toddlers in 2027.
“The cost of childcare has become a crushing burden that pushes families out of our city and stops working people from getting ahead,” Mamdani said in a statement.
“2-K is about giving every child the strongest possible start while giving parents the freedom and stability they deserve. As applications open, we encourage every family in these first communities to explore their options, apply through MySchools and take advantage of this historic investment in New York families.”
Families interested in signing up for 2-K can check available locations in their neighborhoods on myschools.nyc. This fall 2-K will be available in school districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27. Seats on Staten Island will be available in 2027.
Most programs are expected to run eight or 10 hours, and for the full year, which will be a relief to working parents. That’s unlike the city’s existing free preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds, which usually end by 3 p.m. and don’t open for the summer months.
The application period will run from June 2 through 26, and offers will go out in August. Families can apply online at myschools.nyc, call 718-935-2009 or visit a Family Welcome Center.
The city has also opened public voting for the 2-K jingle contest that Mamdani launched with Bronx-born rapper Cardi B and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Tagged
education
new york city
prekindergarten
Karen Yi
Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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