Mamdani’s Universal Free Child Care Ready for 2,000 New York City 2-Year-Olds

Officials indicated higher taxes are not needed to fund the program.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (C) speaks at a press conference with other officials and supporters, including New York Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels (L) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, in New York City on March 3, 2026. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Two thousand 2-year-olds will be enrolled soon in child care that will not cost their parents a penny, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on March 3.

The availability of the 2,000 spots is the first step in fulfilling Mamdani’s campaign pledge to provide free child care to the approximately 100,000 children in the nation’s most populous city.