If implemented, 2-Care will bring the city closer to universal childcare—a key campaign promise for Mamdani, who pledged free childcare for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, regardless of income.
New York State will invest $4.5 billion in childcare in the upcoming fiscal year, and Governor Hochul has committed to fully funding the first two years of 2-Care, spending $73 million in the first year and $425 million in the second year to add 10,000 seats. By the 2029–30 school year, all families with 2-year-olds will be eligible to enroll. It’s been estimated that 55,000 children may enroll in the program.
It has not been revealed where the 2-Care program will be implemented, whether in new centers or within the city’s existing network of preschools, day care centers, and private homes. Mamdani emphasized working with existing child care providers, especially home-based providers.
Hochul has also committed $100 million to expand access to the city’s 3K program, which faced cuts under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
The governor will also invest $470 million to support universal Pre-K, promising that all four-year-olds across the state will have access to Pre-K by the 2028–29 school year, along with increased funding for existing Pre-K seats statewide (at least $10,000 per child). New York State will also increase funding for child care vouchers by 40%, and will establish a new Office of Child Care and Early Education.
From council member Lincoln Restler: “Historic Childcare Investment for NYC
Last week, I was thrilled to join Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for their historic childcare announcement. The Governor and Mayor announced that New York City will be launching a universal child-care program for 2-year-olds, starting in high-needs neighborhoods this fall before expanding city-wide over the next few years. This is extraordinary progress toward Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to universal childcare for all families. Universal childcare delivers tremendous benefits for our children, working parents, and our society as a whole.
The plan also includes new state support for the City’s 3-K program. Despite a promise of being universal, we have heard from hundreds of parents of 3-year-olds each year that they were offered a seat miles away from their home. With this new funding and Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to improving 3-K, every family should be able to access a free, high quality 3K seat in their neighborhood this fall. I will continue to push for more 3-K seats in our neighborhoods – especially in Greenpoint.
The Governor also committed $1.2 billion to childcare vouchers for low income families. Over 60,000 families in New York City rely on these childcare vouchers, but we were facing a massive funding cliff this year that would have kicked tens of thousands of families off their vouchers. Last spring, we led the fight to secure city and state funding to maintain these childcare vouchers. Now, the Governor is stepping up again at the beginning of the budget process to make sure families know their childcare is secure. We know that many families remain on the waiting list for vouchers and will keep working to secure more funding for these vouchers.”
Read more from the announcement here.
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Updated: January 12, 2025.
