City officials said they are continuing their efforts to raise awareness about the newly-established 2-K program, which will provide all-day care for 2-year-olds starting this fall.
As the application period for 2-K continues through June 26, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he's seen a lot of excitement about the program.
"It's not a nice to have," he said during a roundtable discussion with ethnic media journalists. "For a family that is looking to build a life here, that they would be able to save more than $20,000 a year, it would be transformative."
But since this is the first year, the administration did not spend any money on placing ads, and instead created events, like a fun run in the Bronx where families could apply for a seat on the spot, and is continuing to do outreach with community- and faith-based organizations. The latter is especially helpful to encourage immigrant families to apply, said Emmy Liss, executive director of the Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.
Officials did not disclose how many applications have come in so far for the 2,000 seats, available in Brooklyn in School Districts 18 and 23, including in Canarsie, Rugby-Remsen Village, Brownsville and Ocean Hill, as well as parts of East Flatbush, Farragut and Prospect Lefferts Garden and Wingate.
"We are seeing applications come in, and we want to make sure we're leaving no corner of these districts untouched as we try to make sure families understand this is available for them," Liss said.
Some childcare operators that are participating in the program have had empty classrooms that they cannot fill as families have had a tough time paying the tuition, Liss said. In order to prepare for the influx of children, the city is helping the participants out with training so that operators can support and retain staff.
The 2-K program will likely expand to 12,000 seats for the 2027-2028 school year, and the state has committed $1.2 billion for the next two years.
Families interested in applying can use myschools.nyc, where parents can apply using one of 13 different languages; or they can call 718-935-2009 and apply over the phone; or head to one of three Brooklyn welcome centers: 415 89th St.; 1780 Ocean Ave.; and 1665 St. Marks Ave.
Parents will find out 2-K seat selections in August.
