Mayor Zohran Mamdani held an ethnic and community media roundtable on June 9, 2026 to answer questions about the city’s new 2K program, confirming that 2,000 free child care seats for two-year-olds will be offered this fall, applications are open through late June, and families can apply online, by phone, or at city welcome centers. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
# What’s happening
– The city will offer 2,000 free 2K child care seats this fall. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is running the application and rollout. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Applications are open now and close June 26, 2026; selections expected in August. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
# Why it matters
– Families with two-year-olds in selected districts can apply for free child care seats. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– The mayor said eligible families could save more than $20,000 a year through the program. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
# Key details
– Applications are open through June 26, 2026; selections will be made in August 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– 2,000 seats launch this fall; next year the city plans to expand to 12,000 seats. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Families can apply at myschools.nyc (13 languages), by phone at 718-935-20009, or at any of 10 Family Welcome Centers. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Providers will be existing licensed center-based and home-based programs; some sites have empty classrooms that will be used. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– The mayor said Governor Kathy Hochul committed $1.2 billion for this year and the next to support early childhood care. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– The city announced initial target school districts in earlier coverage: Districts 6, 10, 18, 23, and 27. (Earlier coverage, external) Source: https://youtu.be/J1yv7DpsAo4
Mayor Zohran Mamdani
– Role or jurisdiction: Mayor of New York City. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Action taken or responsibility: Announced and answered questions about the 2K rollout and application process. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Relevant numbers or dates: 2,000 seats this fall; applications through June 26, 2026; selections in August 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
**2K (universal child care for two-year-olds)**
– Role or jurisdiction: City program to provide free child care for two-year-olds in selected districts. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Action taken or responsibility: Launching 2,000 seats this fall; planned expansion to 12,000 next year and full coverage by year four. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Relevant numbers or dates: 2,000 seats (fall 2026); 12,000 seats (2027 target); applications close June 26, 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
**Office of Childcare / “Emmy” (referenced)**
– Role or jurisdiction: Executive director or senior official referenced at the roundtable as supporting technical questions. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Action taken or responsibility: Joined the briefing to answer program and provider questions. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
– Relevant numbers or dates: Participated in June 9, 2026 roundtable. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
The city briefly outlined how seats will be allocated and how families and providers can participate. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Mayor Mamdani said the 2,000 seats will be distributed across multiple school districts and neighborhoods this fall. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
He said the program’s first phase uses partnerships with existing licensed center-based and home-based child care providers that already serve two-year-olds. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
The mayor said some providers have empty classrooms and that the program will allow those spaces to be used for 2K enrollment. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
City officials explained outreach and languages for applications. Families can apply online at myschools.nyc in 13 languages. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Families can also call 718-935-20009 for phone assistance in more than 200 languages and can get in-person help at 10 Family Welcome Centers. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Officials said applications opened in early June and will remain open through June 26, 2026, with selections planned for August 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
The mayor said Governor Kathy Hochul has committed $1.2 billion for this year and next year to support early childhood care and that the governor signaled longer-term commitment to the program. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
The mayor said the city has invested $40 million in additional supports for child care workers. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Officials described quality controls and supports for providers. New York City public schools will provide coaching, professional development, and instructional supports for participating programs. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Officials said they solicited interest from community-based organizations, including those that had not previously partnered with the city, to expand provider capacity. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
The mayor said families who do not receive seats this year will likely be placed on a wait list, and the city will provide further information to applicants. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
In earlier coverage (external to the June 9 roundtable), the city and governor announced the initial set of communities slated for 2K: School Districts 6, 10, 18, 23, and 27. That coverage also stated services would begin in September 2026 and that funding included an initial state allocation of $73 million rising to $425 million the following year. (Earlier coverage, external) Source: https://youtu.be/J1yv7DpsAo4
Reporters asked how the city will prioritize seats if demand exceeds supply. The city said all families living in the selected districts are eligible to apply and that the administration aims to serve as many applicants as possible. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Providers told city officials they need workforce supports and onboarding help to expand capacity. The city said it plans to support hiring and retention and provide licensing and coaching where needed. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
Technical and enrollment timeline details reiterated by officials at the roundtable: applications close June 26, 2026; selections in August 2026; services begin this fall 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
For families: the quickest ways to apply are myschools.nyc, calling 718-935-20009, or visiting one of the 10 Family Welcome Centers for in-person help. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s
For reporters and community groups: the city said it will release more details about specific participating providers and site lists in the weeks ahead. (Earlier coverage referenced provider lists for initial school districts; the roundtable noted provider details will follow.) Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s and https://youtu.be/J1yv7DpsAo4
Sources: Mayor’s ethnic and community media roundtable on 2K enrollment, June 9, 2026. Source: https://youtu.be/dYUqd3y8h7s. Earlier city announcement naming initial districts and funding details (external to the roundtable). Source: https://youtu.be/J1yv7DpsAo4
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