Mayor Mamdani Expands 2-K Program to Full-Day, Year-Round Schedule
New York City will expand its 2-K program this fall to operate on a full-day, year-round basis for most seats, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced. The change aims to align early childhood services with the schedules of working families.
Program hours and calendar
The initial rollout covers a majority of the first 2,000 2-K seats available this fall. Those seats will run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The schedule moves to 260 days a year. It replaces the traditional 180-day school calendar for those seats.
Family choice and provider flexibility
Contracted providers who applied to offer seats this fall have begun receiving notifications. Additional providers from the City’s RFI will be informed in coming weeks.
Providers may still offer a 2-K program aligned to the school calendar. Families will not be required to accept a full-day, full-year seat.
Policy context and recent actions
The expansion is part of the Mayor’s push toward universal child care for children six weeks to five years. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels described the move as a major step for early childhood support.
On Day 8 in office, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced a $1.2 billion investment in Pre-K and 3-K. The Mayor also added 1,000 new 3-K seats and sped up the opening of an Upper East Side center.
Free seats and coverage
In March, the administration named the first four communities to receive free 2-K seats. Communities in five school districts will get access to more than 2,000 free seats this fall.
Family input and resources
Families are invited to shape the program by completing the NYC Parent Survey. The survey is supported by Robin Hood and organized by the New Practice Lab at New America.
Submit responses at Filmogaz.com/ParentSurvey. The City is using feedback to refine program design.
Outreach, contest, and additional supports
The Mayor joined Bronx-born rapper Cardi B to launch a citywide 2-K application jingle contest. Entries must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026.
Contest submissions and full rules are posted at Filmogaz.com/jingle. The administration also released a child care provider map and an online resource hub.
The City launched a first-of-its-kind free child care pilot for municipal workers. Officials say this complements broader efforts to reduce child care costs.
What this means for working families
Mayor Mamdani’s move expands 2-K into full-day, year-round offerings that reflect many work schedules. City leaders say the change reduces reliance on costly, patchwork child care.
Officials emphasize that the policy balances flexibility for providers with increased options for families. The goal is to make child care more accessible and affordable.
