### What’s happening
– Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $1.21 billion investment in universal childcare.
– The investment aims to fix the 3-K program and provide childcare for two-year-olds.
– The initiative will take effect starting in 2026 and continue through the Mayor’s first term.
### Why it matters
– Families with young children will have increased access to affordable childcare options.
– Improved childcare options can help New Yorkers balance work and family, reducing financial stress.
### Key details
– Investment amount: $1.21 billion.
– Targeted age group: Universal childcare for children aged 2 to 4 years.
– Application period for 3-K and Pre-K opens until February 27, 2026.
– Expected enrollment: Initial rollout will serve around 2,000 two-year-olds in 2026.
– Estimated cost to taxpayers for the first year of the program: approximately $75 million.
– Cost for second-year expansion: expected to rise to $425 million.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently unveiled a significant initiative to expand access to childcare in New York City, dedicating $1.21 billion toward universal childcare. This investment is designed to address the shortcomings of the existing 3-K program while also introducing care for two-year-olds, fulfilling a commitment made during Mamdani’s campaign.
Mamdani’s administration emphasized the importance of affordable childcare, stating that it often costs families up to $22,500 a year in New York City. The Mayor’s plan aims to alleviate these costs and make it feasible for families to live and work in the city without the burden of exorbitant childcare expenses.
As a part of the initiative, applications for the 3-K and Pre-K programs are officially open until February 27, 2026. Families can apply online at myschools.nyc or call a dedicated support line. This outreach is part of a broader effort to encourage enrollment and ensure families are aware of their options.
In collaboration with Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration, the focus will also be on creating a robust roadmap for universal childcare in the coming years. Future expansions of the program are designed to ensure that every child under five years old will have access to affordable childcare, ultimately benefiting working families throughout the city.
This initiative responds to long-standing demands for effective childcare solutions in New York City, addressing the pressures many families face in managing work and childcare responsibilities. As part of this comprehensive plan, Mamdani is determined to transform how families access essential childcare services, ensuring that no family has to leave New York City due to unaffordable living costs.
Investing in childcare not only supports families but is expected to bolster the city’s economy as parents can engage more fully in the workforce, helping to stabilize the community as a whole.
(Source: https://youtu.be/o_4O2eYZTcw)
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(Source: https://youtu.be/OKscEdO36Gw)
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