New York to Launch Free Child Care for Two-Year-Olds in NYC Under Hochul–Mamdani Plan

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Free child care for two-year-olds is coming to NYC as Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani unveil a sweeping plan for universal child care statewide.



By Staff Reporter

Manhattan Voice

January 8, 2026


NEW YORK - New York families struggling with the high cost of child care may soon get significant relief.


Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a sweeping new initiative that will make free child care for two-year-olds available in New York City, while accelerating the rollout of universal child care for children under five across New York State. The announcement marks one of the most ambitious early childhood education investments in state history.


The plan expands on existing programs like Universal Pre-K and NYC 3K, while introducing a new citywide program known as “2-Care”, aimed at closing the gap for families with toddlers who are currently priced out of affordable care.


What Is the 2-Care Program?


The new 2-Care program in New York City will provide entirely free child care for two-year-old children, regardless of family income.


Under the plan:


  • New York State will fully fund the first two years of implementation


  • The program will initially focus on high-need neighborhoods


  • Citywide expansion is expected by year four


  • The program will integrate with and strengthen NYC’s existing 3K for All system

City and state leaders say this approach ensures that families are supported earlier, helping parents stay in the workforce while giving children a strong developmental foundation.


Universal Pre-K for All Four-Year-Olds by 2028


Beyond New York City, the state is committing to making Pre-K truly universal statewide.


By the 2028–2029 school year, every four-year-old in New York State will have access to Pre-K, including in districts where programs do not yet exist.


To make that possible, the state will:


  • Fund new Pre-K seats in underserved districts


  • Increase funding for existing seats to at least $10,000 per child


  • Match or exceed local foundation aid levels
  • Invest roughly $500 million to ensure quality and sustainability


The goal, according to the Governor’s office, is simple: every child enters kindergarten ready to learn.


Affordable Child Care for Nearly 100,000 More Children


The announcement also includes major expansions to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps low- and middle-income families pay for care.


Key updates include:



  • Most participating families pay no more than $15 per week


  • An additional $1.2 billion investment, bringing total subsidies above $3 billion


  • Support for nearly 100,000 additional children statewide


Since Governor Hochul took office, the number of children served by subsidies has more than doubled.


New Community Child Care Models Across New York


For families outside New York City, the state will pilot new community-based child care models beginning in 2026.


These pilots will:


  • Operate year-round and full-day


  • Serve families regardless of income


  • Be developed in partnership with counties and local providers


  • Expand access in areas where traditional child care options are limited



Officials say the pilots are designed to be scalable and adaptable to different community needs.


A New Office of Child Care and Early Education


To oversee the expansion, the state will create a new Office of Child Care and Early Education.


The office will coordinate:


  • Universal Pre-K implementation


  • NYC’s 3K and 2-Care programs


  • Subsidy expansion and voucher reform


  • Workforce development and educator support


The move centralizes oversight and aims to ensure consistent quality statewide.



Supporting the Child Care Workforce


Recognizing that child care expansion depends on educators, the plan includes:


  • Expanded early childhood workforce scholarships




  • Increased provider reimbursement rates (nearly 50% since 2021)


These steps are intended to stabilize the workforce while improving care quality.



What This Means for New York Families


For parents, the announcement represents a shift toward child care as public infrastructure, similar to K-12 education.


Families can expect:


  • Lower out-of-pocket child care costs


  • Earlier access to free, high-quality programs


  • Greater workforce stability for caregivers


  • Long-term savings that could total thousands of dollars per child


As Governor Hochul put it, the cost of child care has become “simply too high,” and this plan is designed to change that reality permanently.


Why This Matters Now


With child care costs among the highest in the nation, New York’s move positions the state as a national leader in early childhood education policy. If fully implemented, the combination of universal Pre-K, free 2-Care, expanded subsidies, and workforce investment could reshape how families across New York work, live, and raise children.

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