Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have announced plans to add 10,000 free childcare seats for two-year-olds beginning in fall 2027, bringing the city’s 2-K program to more than 12,000 children across all five boroughs.
Announced Monday, the expansion will cover every school district in the Bronx and all of Staten Island. It will add 17 school districts, bringing the total served to 22 of the city’s 32 districts, while increasing capacity in existing locations.
Demand has exceeded availability: families submitted more than 5,700 applications for the initial 2,000 seats offered this fall.
Mamdani and Hochul said the expansion aims to reduce childcare expenses and help parents remain in employment while giving young children access to early education.
Services will continue through childcare centers and licensed family childcare providers, with a full-day, full-year model. Officials said details about applications for fall 2027 will be announced in the coming weeks.
