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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 29, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul Extend

Nearly 100,000 3-K, Pre-K Offers

Every family is encouraged to accept their offer by the deadline listed in their offer letter

OUR BUREAU

NEW YORK, NY
ayor Zohran Kwame Mam-
dani, Governor Kathy Ho-
Mchul and Schools Chancel-
lor Kamar Samuels have announced
that the City has extended 99,921
offers for 3-K and Pre-K for the up-
coming school year, with more fami-
lies receiving offers to one of their top
choice programs and average travel
distances decreasing across the city.
On day eight of this Administra-
tion, Mayor Mamdani and Governor
Kathy Hochul announced the City’s
first steps toward universal child
care, announcing the launch of 2-K,
expansion of Pre-K and an aggres-
sive focus on expanding 3-K access so
families could find care in their own
neighborhoods. Those efforts, made
possible by a more than $1.2 billion
investment from the state to support
early childhood care and education,
have already resulted in more fami-
lies receiving offers to their preferred
3-K program and fewer families end-
ing up on waitlists.
Fewer families this year received boroughs.” This year, the percentage of fam- the City’s child care outreach system
placements at programs they did not “Today’s announcement marks a ilies receiving their top 3-K choice and reach families too often left be-
rank on their applications. For those new era for child care in New York increased from 65% to 70%, while hind by government. That work will
3-K families, the average distance be- City – one where families can trust the percentage receiving one of their continue through the Mamdani ad-
tween home and program decreased that government will deliver for top three 3-K choices increased from ministration’s commitment to base-
by .85 miles, or approximately 17 city them,” said Mayor Mamdani. 80% to 84%. line $5 million annually for outreach
blocks. That distance is expected to “Across the five boroughs, fam- While every family received a and engagement. The administration
decrease further as families express ilies are traveling shorter distances, seat offer, the percentage of families has also committed new funding to
interest in the additional 3-K seats more children are receiving offers receiving placements at programs not strengthen agency staffing and pro-
added by the City, including more to their top-choice programs, and listed on their application decreased vide more comprehensive support
than 700 new seats announced yes- fewer parents are being forced to from 15% to 12%, helping ensure for families and providers.
terday that will be available through choose between unaffordable pri- more families received offers they In April, the Mayor joined New
the waitlist process. vate care and leaving the city they could realistically accept. York City public school students to
“Every child deserves a strong love. This is what government excel- Last year, 720 families received open seven previously vacant child
start, and every parent deserves to lence looks like.” 3-K offers outside their home bor- care sites, creating 240 new 3-K seats.
know their child has a safe, high-qual- “Our young children are the ough, with most placements located That announcement followed the ad-
ity place to learn and grow,” said Gov- future, and New York City’s fu- more than three miles from home. ministration’s addition of more than
ernor Hochul. “Today’s announce- ture just got brighter,” said Schools This year, fewer than 200 families 1,000 new 3-K seats across 56 zip
ment ensures more families are able Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “I am received out-of-borough offers, and codes, now more than 2,000, as well
to access the 3-K opportunities they deeply grateful to Mayor Mamdani all placements are within three miles as the opening of a previously vacant
want, and provides universal 3-K and and Governor Hochul for their from home. Many of those families child care center on the Upper East
Pre-K to 100,000 families across New leadership in this work, and the ded- will also have an opportunity to re- Side. Yesterday, Mayor Mamdani
York City, giving more parents access ication of our community partners ceive an close-to-home placements announced that the City had doubled
to affordable child care in their own who ensure our families are seen, through the waitlist process following those efforts, adding 2,000 3-K seats
communities and setting up the next supported, and served. Because of the more than 700 newly available across all five boroughs and confirm-
generation for success. I’m proud to this collective effort we are putting 3-K seats. ing that the City’s ninth new child
partner with Mayor Mamdani to de- nearly 100,000 children on a path to These historic gains follow the care center will open this fall in Co-
liver for New Yorkers across all five success close to home.” administration’s first steps to rebuild lumbia Waterfront.

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