Overview
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched 3‑K and pre‑K applications and urged families to enroll, saying the city will guarantee a seat for every parent who applies.
- Applications for children turning 3 or 4 are open through February 27, with enrollment available by phone at 718-935-2009 or online at myschools.nyc.
- Mamdani unveiled a citywide outreach blitz to fill thousands of available seats and criticized former Mayor Eric Adams for cutting funding and advertising for early childhood programs.
- The state–city plan includes a 2‑Care pilot offering free care to two‑year‑olds in high‑need neighborhoods starting this fall, with about 2,000 initial seats and a four‑year phase‑in citywide.
- Governor Kathy Hochul proposed an additional $1.7 billion for child care, bringing projected FY2027 spending to $4.5 billion and planning a new Office of Child Care and Early Education, as a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempted freeze of child care funds.