Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited an early‑childhood program in Brooklyn on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to promote applications for New York City’s free universal pre‑kindergarten program for four‑year‑olds, known as 2‑K. During the visit, the mayor emphasized the importance of families signing up for the program while private childcare providers that run the classrooms reported that they have not yet received several months of payments owed under city contracts.
The 2‑K initiative provides tuition‑free pre‑kindergarten slots to eligible children across the five boroughs. The city contracts with private child‑care centers to deliver the curriculum, and the providers receive funding from municipal accounts to cover operating costs. According to the providers present at the Brooklyn site, those payments have been delayed for months, creating financial strain for the facilities that host the program.
Mayor Mamdani’s tour of the Brooklyn classroom was intended to raise public awareness of the enrollment window and to reassure families that the city remains committed to expanding access to early education. He highlighted the program’s role in preparing children for kindergarten and noted that enrollment is open to all four‑year‑olds regardless of income.
City officials have acknowledged the payment backlog and indicated that steps are being taken to resolve the issue. The mayor’s appearance underscored the administration’s dual focus on encouraging families to apply for the free slots while addressing the contractual funding shortfall affecting the private providers that deliver the service.
The situation reflects the broader challenges of administering a citywide universal pre‑kindergarten program through a network of private partners. As the enrollment period progresses, city leaders and contracted providers are working to ensure that the program remains fully funded and accessible to the children who need it.