Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announce that the City has extended 99,921 offers for 3-K and Pre-K for the upcoming school year. | Photo by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) on Thursday announced continued investment in the City’s 2‑Programming initiative through the 2026–27 school year, expanding early‑childhood access for thousands of families with toddlers who are not yet eligible for 3‑K or Pre‑K.
Program Will Add Seats and Strengthen Early Learning Pipeline
NYCPS said the expansion will support approximately 6,000 seats for children ages 24 to 36 months, with priority for families in high‑need neighborhoods. The program, launched as a pilot in 2024, provides structured early‑learning experiences for two‑year‑olds who often fall into a care gap between infant‑toddler programs and 3‑K.
“We are building a birth‑to‑five system that finally reflects the realities of working families,” Mayor Mamdani said. “This investment ensures our youngest New Yorkers have safe, nurturing, developmentally rich environments long before they enter formal preschool.”
Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels said the expansion is part of the administration’s commitment to stabilizing and strengthening early‑childhood programming. Families deserve continuity and high‑quality care. Extending 2‑Programming through 2026–27 is a major step toward that goal,” Samuels said.
Background: What 2‑Programming Is and Who It Serves
The 2‑Programming was created to fill a long‑standing gap in the City’s early childhood system: children who age out of EarlyLearn or home‑based care but are too young for 3‑K. The program offers:
- Play‑based learning
- Language and social‑emotional development
- Family engagement supports
- Wraparound services in select sites
It is delivered through a mix of community‑based organizations (CBOs) and DOE‑contracted early childhood centers. Eligibility prioritizes low‑income families, multilingual learners, and children with disabilities.
When Enrollment Opens and When the Program Starts
Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year will open in January 2026, with programming beginning in September 2026. NYCPS has not released a total cost figure, but officials said the investment is part of the City’s multi‑year early‑childhood budget, supported by city, state, and federal funds.
Advocates say the expansion is critical for families who struggle to find affordable care for two‑year‑olds — a group not covered by universal early‑childhood entitlements.
How It Compares to 2‑K, 3‑K, and Pre‑K
While 2‑Programming is not a universal entitlement like Pre‑K for All, it is designed to feed directly into the City’s 3‑K and Pre‑K pipeline. Key differences include:
- 2‑Programming: Ages 2–3; limited seats; developmental focus; CBO‑heavy delivery model
- 2‑K (DOE pilot): Ages 2–3; classroom‑based; aligned with 3‑K curriculum; limited rollout
- 3‑K for All: Ages 3–4; universal access goal; broader seat availability
- Pre‑K for All: Ages 4–5; universal; full‑day instruction
“This is about continuity, not competition,” Chancellor Samuels said. “2‑Programming strengthens the entire early childhood pipeline by ensuring children don’t fall through the cracks before they reach 3‑K.”
Advocates Welcome the Expansion
Early childhood advocates praised the announcement, saying it addresses long‑standing gaps in care for working families.
“This is a win for parents who have been struggling to find safe, affordable care for their two‑year‑olds,” said the Campaign for Children, a coalition of early childhood providers.
