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NYC to cover childcare costs for 22,000 families
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

NYC to cover childcare costs for 22,000 families

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced free childcare for 22,000 low-income families starting in September.
  • The program covers children aged 6 weeks to 13 years, extending to 19 for those with disabilities.
  • The city will initially cover US$5.2 million in annual costs, with a secured budget of US$6.24 million from fiscal year 2028 onwards.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to cover 100% of out-of-pocket childcare expenses for approximately 22,000 low-income families across the city. This initiative, set to begin in September, aims to eliminate financial barriers for families relying on vouchers and contracts for childcare services.

No family should have to choose between staying in the city they love and affording their child's care.

— Zohran MamdaniExplaining the motivation behind the new childcare initiative.

"No family should have to choose between staying in the city they love and affording their child's care," Mamdani stated during a press conference. The program will support children from 6 weeks old up to 13 years, with provisions to extend coverage to age 19 for children with disabilities. The city administration is initially allocating US$5.2 million annually to cover these costs, with a base funding of US$6.24 million secured in the budget starting fiscal year 2028.

This effort is bolstered by Governor Kathy Hochul's commitment of US$1.2 billion in state funds to enhance childcare infrastructure citywide. "Forming a family while working full-time was nearly impossible for me, so I have made it my mission that no parent has to choose between their career and their children," Hochul remarked, expressing pride in collaborating with Mamdani on this initiative. The program, dubbed 2-K, aims to provide universal free childcare for two-year-olds, laying a foundation for future educational success while offering economic stability to families.

Forming a family while working full-time was nearly impossible for me, so I have made it my mission that no parent has to choose between their career and their children.

— Kathy HochulHighlighting her personal connection to the issue and support for the program.

Mamdani noted the "overwhelming demand" for the 2-K program, stating it reflects a long-standing need for universal free childcare in New York. Applications opened earlier this year, with the first cohort of two-year-olds expected to begin in the fall.

The overwhelming demand for the 2-K program demonstrates what families across the city have known for years: New Yorkers need free, universal childcare, and they need it now.

— Zohran MamdaniCommenting on the public's need for accessible childcare services.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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