Cost savings, first-day jitters, payment delays: NYC launches 2-K for 2,000 toddlers

Mirlene Casimir, a nurse and daughter of Haitian immigrants, felt a mix of emotions as she dropped her 2-year-old son off at his new Brooklyn preschool on Thursday. The free 2-K childcare program, which runs year-round from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., would save her money for her mortgage and student loans, allow her to cut back on overtime shifts, and help her son improve his English skills.

Across four NYC boroughs, around 2,000 toddlers began the school year as part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's affordability agenda. Mamdani hopes to expand the program to 12,000 kids by next fall and citywide by the end of his first term. Despite the excitement, some parents, like Casimir, were nervous about sending their children away for the first time.

The Dominican Women's Development Center, which runs the 2-K program, is still waiting for finalized contracts with the city Education Department and a city-issued loan, risking closure of some programs. Payment delays and staffing cuts have plagued the program, but Mamdani has announced efforts to speed up contract reviews, issue loans faster, and boost staff in the Division of Early Childhood Education.