Education · New York, NY
NYC Adds 10,000 Free 2-K Seats Starting Fall 2027, Covering All Five Boroughs
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that New York City will add 10,000 free 2-K (two-year-old pre-kindergarten) seats beginning fall 2027, extending the program to all five boroughs including Staten Island and the Bronx for the first time. The expansion brings total planned spots above 12,000 across more than half of the city's 32 school districts, up from five districts at this September's launch. City Hall estimates a free 2-K seat saves families an average of $26,000 annually in child care costs. The rollout is backed by a $1.2 billion state investment over two years, with $425 million committed for fiscal year 2028. The city plans to survey existing providers and issue a request for information to new providers within the next week, and will add more than 200 staff at New York City Public Schools.