Page 14 - The Indian EYE 081426

North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

14 AUGUST 14, 2026
Mayor Mamdani and Governor

Hochul Extend 2-K Offers to More

Than 2,000 Children

Nearly three applications submitted for every available 2-K seat in the City’s inaugural program

OUR BUREAU inaugural seats are available at child
care centers and family child care
NEW YORK, NY
homes across five initial school dis-
ayor Zohran Kwame Mam- tricts. The overwhelming response
dani and Governor Kathy from families will help guide the ad-
MHochul have announced ministration’s continued expansion
that more than 2,000 children are re- of 2-K, including adding seats with-
ceiving offers to join New York City’s in the first five districts in the years
inaugural 2-K class. The Mayor and ahead. By the end of Mayor Mam-
Governor also announced that fol- dani’s first term, every family in New
lowing the City’s first-ever 2-K appli- York City that wants a 2-K seat will
cation season, more than 5,700 fam- have access to one.
ilies applied for just over 2,000 seats Since launching 2-K earlier this
– clear evidence of the extraordinary year, Mayor Mamdani has led an
demand for free, universal child care all-of-government campaign to en-
across the five boroughs. Each free sure families across the city knew
2-K seat will save New York City fam- about the opportunity and had the
ilies an average of $26,000 a year. resources they needed to apply. In
Among families receiving initial May, the Mayor announced the first
offers, 82% are matched with one batch of providers that would offer
of their top three choices, and more 2-K seats. Days later, the Mayor
than half are receiving their first- and Governor joined students from
choice program. 99% of all offers NYC are applying for childcare for seats in a classroom – they represent Sheldon R. Weaver Child Care Cen-
are to a program listed on a family’s their two-year-olds, making clear peace of mind for parents, opportu- ter on the Rockaway Beach Board-
application. As Mayor Mamdani an- that this is the kind of opportuni- nity for children, and another step walk to officially launch the applica-
nounced earlier this year, the majority ty that families have been waiting toward making universal child care a tion period.
of seats will be full-day and full-year. generations for,” Governor Hochul reality for every New Yorker.” As the application deadline ap-
“The overwhelming demand said. “Starting a family while work- “We are giving our youngest proached, Mayor Mamdani part-
for 2-K shows what families across ing full-time was nearly impossible New Yorkers the high-quality ear- nered with New York Road Run-
the city have known for years: New for me, which is why I’ve made it my ly learning experiences that set the ners to host a 2K for 2-K race in
Yorkers need free, universal child mission to make sure no parent has foundation for a lifetime of success Fort Tryon Park, encouraging fam-
care, and they need it now,” said to choose between their career and in school and beyond,” said Schools ilies to submit applications before
Mayor Mamdani. “More than 5,700 their children. I’m proud to partner Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “The the deadline. Mayor Mamdani also
families applied because affordable with Mayor Mamdani in delivering overwhelming response from fami- partnered with Bronx-born rapper
child care allows New York families these first 2-K seats, and I’ll continue lies shows just how urgently this pro- Cardi B and Washington Heights na-
to stay in the city they love. From our putting New York on a path to uni- gram is needed, and we’re excited to tive Lin-Manuel Miranda to launch
2K for 2-K race in Fort Tryon Park to versal childcare, supporting families welcome New York’s cutest and their a 2-K jingle contest. Nearly 13,000
building sandcastles with families in across the state.” families into our schools this fall. New Yorkers voted to select Allegra
the Rockaways, our administration “When our kids have access to We remain committed to working Levy’s song, which was recorded in
travelled across the city to ensure the high-quality care and early learn- alongside the Mayor and Governor English and Spanish.
families had the information they ing we will see in 2-K classrooms to grow 2-K until every family who Families who did not receive an
needed to apply. That’s how govern- across the city, we are giving them wants a seat has one.” initial offer will be contacted direct-
ment should work, and this is only the strongest possible foundation On the eighth day of his adminis- ly with information about waitlist
the beginning. Together with Gov- for everything that comes next,” said tration, Mayor Mamdani announced options as additional seats become
ernor Hochul, we’ll keep expanding Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the creation of more than 2,000 free available in the coming weeks. Fam-
2-K until every family that wants a the Mayor’s Office of Child Care 2-K seats — the first program of its ilies may continue to join 2-K wait-
seat can get one.” and Early Childhood Education. kind in New York City history — in lists, regardless of whether they ap-
“Thousands of families across “Today’s offers represent more than partnership with Gov. Hochul. The plied in June.

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