Mayor Mamdani Promotes 50,000 Preschool Applications in NYC

New York City Mayor Rohan Mamdani announced that approximately 50,000 families have applied for the city’s 3-K and pre-K programs as part of an ongoing registration campaign. This figure, reported as of January 30, 2026, aligns with application numbers from the same period last year. Despite a significant demand for affordable child care, many free preschool programs in the city’s lower-income neighborhoods continue to struggle with enrollment.

In his efforts to expand access to child care for children aged six weeks and older, Mamdani aims to enhance outreach compared to his predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams. While the current application figures are promising, they have yet to surpass previous years, leaving the mayor hopeful that numbers will increase as the February 27 deadline approaches.

“So far, we’re currently in line with where we were last year,” Mamdani stated during a visit to a home-based daycare in Chinatown. He emphasized the need for a robust outreach campaign, coining the phrase “Get out the child care” or “GOTC.” The mayor acknowledged that the city still has a long way to go to secure more applications before the deadline.

Before the winter break, data indicated that close to 9,600 3-K seats, or around 18%, remained vacant. This situation has been attributed to a mismatch between the locations of available programs and the increasing demand reflected in waitlists.

To bolster applications for the upcoming fall term, Mamdani has committed to a comprehensive initiative. This includes a promotional video that will be displayed on TaxiTV screens in yellow cabs, at LinkNYC kiosks, and across various social media platforms. Additionally, he successfully persuaded Governor Kathy Hochul to allocate $100 million towards 3-K programs and to support the launch of free child care for two-year-olds by the next school year.

During his visit to the Chinatown daycare, Mamdani explored the role of home-based or “family” daycares, which are particularly popular among low-income families. He noted their significant contribution to the anticipated expansion of services for two-year-olds. Many parents favor family daycares for their intimate atmosphere and the ability to communicate in their native language.

“Home-based providers are going to be a critical part of universal child care. They already are,” Mamdani remarked. He underscored the importance of addressing the challenges faced by universal child care for three-year-olds while expanding services for younger children.

The Chinatown daycare serves children as young as two, supported through a combination of funding from the Department of Education, a federal Early Head Start grant, and vouchers for low-income families. Within the daycare, educational materials featuring the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors are displayed in both English and Chinese. During the mayor’s visit, children were preparing to wash their hands for lunch, which is one of three meals provided daily.

One of the daycare providers shared, “Providers prepare all meals. Parents love it because it’s very hearty. It comes out of love in the kitchen.” This highlights the dedication of home-based providers in nurturing young children and catering to the specific needs of families in the community.

As the registration period continues, Mayor Mamdani remains optimistic about increasing participation in preschool programs, aiming to make early education more accessible for all New Yorkers.