Major Milestone To Delivering Free Childcare for All Two-Year-Olds in NYC
Part of Governor’s Commitment to Achieving Universal Childcare Statewide
Governor Kathy Hochul today joined Mayor Mamdani to announce the launch of the application process for the first 2,000 2-K seats available this fall in four distinct communities.
This announcement is part of their efforts to deliver free childcare for all two-year-olds in New York City.
Today’s program opening was made possible by the Governor’s significant allocation of $73 million to establish the first 2,000 2-K seats in the city.
With continued State support, the State’s investment in 2-K is expected to grow to $425 million by next year.
“Today, for the first time, families across NYC can begin applying for free childcare for their two-year-old, making the dream of 2-K in NYC finally a reality,” said Governor Hochul. “No parent should have to choose between a job they love and a child they can’t afford to care for.
That’s why we're putting this city and state on a path to universal childcare, delivering relief for working families and ensuring every kid gets the strong start they deserve.”
The Governor’s support for New York City’s 2-Care program is part of her larger and unprecedented increase in funding, including a $1.2 billion commitment to support early childcare and early education efforts in New York City.
These funds will support the City’s existing infrastructure to open new 3-K seats to serve families across the city in addition to providing continued support for the Childcare Assistance Program.
State Senator James Sanders Jr. said,“The launch of 2-K is a major investment in New York's future.
Every child deserves a strong start, and every working family deserves access to affordable, high-quality childcare.
I commend Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for advancing this initiative and am especially pleased that District 27 communities, including South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, and the Rockaways, will be among the first to benefit.
When we invest in our youngest New Yorkers, we strengthen families, support working parents, and build a brighter future for all.”
Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato said, “If you want something done right, ask a woman to do it
As our first mom Governor, Kathy Hochul has seen first hand the struggles with childcare - which is why she boldly committed the necessary resources to bring 2-K and early education efforts to NYC, especially here in the South Queens School District 27.
This is the type of leadership that families need and I am proud to partner with her to make raising a family in our State and City just a little bit easier.”
Today, for the first time, families across NYC can begin applying for free childcare for their two-year-old, making the dream of 2-K in NYC finally a reality.”
The initial communities that will receive 2,000 New York City 2-K seats are:
Washington Heights and Inwood
Fordham and Kingsbridge
East Brooklyn: Canarsie, Brownsville, and Ocean Hill
Ozone Park and Rockaways
To complement the rollout of 2-K in New York City, the State will continue to expand access to high-quality childcare programs statewide through various models in 2026, saving families in New York billions of dollars annually.
With the State’s FY27 investments, Governor Hochul has now made more than $11.8 billion in childcare funding available statewide, dramatically expanding access and putting New York on a path to delivering universal childcare across the state.
The total FY27 investment for childcare and prekindergarten services across the state will be $4.5 billion and will:
Make Pre-K truly universal statewide with funding to make high-quality Pre-K seats available for all four-year-olds in New York by the start of the 2028-29 school year, while also increasing State grants to existing programs to ensure high-quality care.
Enhance the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to help defray childcare expenses for 230,000 New York families by providing an average benefit of $576.
Support the development of New York’s ‘First 3’ program, which will partner with counties to offer high-quality, affordable childcare to children aged 0-3 years, regardless of income.
Make historic investments in the Childcare Assistance Program, delivering high-quality, affordable childcare to tens of thousands of additional young New Yorkers that is capped at $15 a week for most families.
Support the childcare workforce by increasing the rates paid to providers by 48 percent and through early childhood educator preparation.