Overview
- Two thousand free seats for 2-year-olds will launch in September 2026 in Manhattan’s District 6, the Bronx’s District 10, Brooklyn’s Districts 18 and 23, and Queens’ District 27, with Staten Island excluded from the first phase.
- New York State committed $73 million for year one and up to $425 million for year two, with a stated goal to expand to 12,000 seats by fall 2027.
- Applications are expected to open over the summer, with programs beginning in September and rolling admissions through the fall to accommodate children who turn two later in the year under health-code rules.
- The rollout will rely on existing child care centers and home-based providers, with details on participating sites forthcoming and planned supports for children with disabilities.
- Coverage questions persist as reports peg first-year costs at roughly $36,500 per child, officials have not detailed funding after the second year, and pay levels and hours for providers are still being worked out.