Mayor Mamdani on Thursday took the first step toward getting New York City’s planned universal child care for 2-year-olds off the ground, asking providers if they’re interested in offering the new program.
In a lively City Hall press conference featuring nearby preschool students and TikTok influencer Julian Shapiro-Barnum, better known as “Recess Therapy,” the mayor announced a “request for information” for new programs interested in becoming 2-K or 3-K providers.
The city also launched a survey of current providers interested in joining 2-K or expanding 3-K capacity. Both submissions are due by Feb. 19.
While the city still has a long way to go to get 2-K off the ground later this year, Mamdani promised to address the challenges of implementing the program as they come.
“I know that many providers are at their breaking points: Rising operational costs, low wages and high staff turnover have taken a toll. We can and will address these issues together,” the mayor said.
2-K is expected to launch this fall with the first 2,000 seats in high-need neighborhoods, using state funding allocated by Gov. Hochul.
At the time of Mamdani’s announcement, which neighborhoods will be first in line for the new program was still an open question. While all providers are eligible to submit proposals, the city “may prioritize providers who offer services in the targeted districts and zip codes to be determined,” procurement documents read.
“We’re going to keep New Yorkers up to date in the process of how we are determining where those seats will be,” Mamdani said. “A key part of it actually is in this RFI, as we are looking to better understand parent opinions on these issues, as well as where the need is across the city.”
The administration hopes to serve all families interested in 2-K citywide by the fourth year of its rollout. For now, funding from the governor’s office is set to run out after the second year, when 2-K expands to 12,000 children — though Hochul has said she intends to keep the program afloat.
