New York City's first 2-K class is in session amid payment delays

Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News on Sep 10, 2026

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NEW YORK — Roughly 2,000 children started their first day of school on Thursday at New York City’s new free child care program for 2-year-olds.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched his signature initiative, known as 2-K, in five local school districts across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The mayor plans to add 10,000 more 2-K seats next school year, including on Staten Island, with a citywide expansion targeted for 2029.

“While this morning has brought a new kind of stress to thousands of young families across the city, it is the stress of excitement and new beginnings,” said Mamdani during a press conference at the Highbridge Recreation Center in School District 6. “Not the stress of wondering whether they can afford to be here at all.”

“A lot of people talk about how New York City is very expensive,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose initial $73 million investment will help stand up the program. “So we’re chipping away at those pressure points.”

The first day of 2-K comes amid a series of challenges: Payment delays, leadership turnover and more demand than supply.

The initial 2,000 children were randomly selected by a lottery out of 5,700 applicants. Families who did not receive an offer could pay, on average, $23,400 per year for toddler day care, according to a comptroller’s audit.

Day care operators, who contract with the city to provide 2-K, have also complained of delayed payments that threatened the ability to open their doors on Thursday. The Mamdani administration responded with a full-court press to register contracts, upfront supplies and get providers paid.

2-K launched without a deputy chancellor at the helm of the public schools’ early childhood division. Simone Hawkins, a well-regarded education official, vacated the role on Wednesday. Her successor will be Erica Phillips, who does not start in the position until later this month.

2-K is largely full day, full year — a welcome shift from 3-K and Pre-K, where parents have to cobble together afterschool and summer programs to align child care with their work schedules.

Mamdani campaigned on free child care for all ages 6 weeks and up.

“Today is just the start,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Both of our students’ educational journeys and their pathway to universal child care.”

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