New York City to Launch Free 2-K Childcare Program with 2,000 Seats in 2026

New York City plans to launch a free 2-K childcare program in fall 2026, initially offering 2,000 seats for two-year-olds in selected high-need neighborhoods across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Applications will open in early summer, with eligibility based on age and residence in specific school districts. Mayor Zohran Mamdani aims to expand the program to 12,000 seats next year and eventually make it available citywide within four years, with initial funding supported by Governor Kathy Hochul.