The applications opened Tuesday and will remain available through June 26 for families living in School Districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27.
Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul are expected to discuss the application launch Tuesday morning.
New York City is home to more than 50,000 2-year-olds, and city leaders say the program will eventually expand to become universal.
The launch came just eight days after Mayor Zohran Mamdani took office. Mamdani joined Governor Kathy Hochul in announcing the rollout of the new 2-K program, along with a $1.2 billion state investment in child care across New York City.
The initiative will begin this fall with 2,000 free seats and is expected to expand over the next four years.
According to city officials, the majority of the new seats will be offered through full-day programs operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 260 days per year. Families will be able to enroll children through center-based programs as well as licensed family child care homes.
Families can apply online through MySchools, by calling 718-935-2009, or by visiting one of the city's Family Welcome Centers.
ALSO READ: New Yorkers can vote for their favorite tune in Mamdani's 2-K jingle contest
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