New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos announced the opening of enrollment for the city’s new “Birth-to-2 Child Care Initiative,” a program designed to provide free early childhood education to infants and toddlers in neighborhoods with the greatest need. The initiative will offer over 200 child care seats across 16 community-based provider sites in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, with services beginning January 5, 2026.
The program represents a $10 million investment and is part of the Adams administration’s broader $167 million commitment to early education. It aims to expand access to high-quality care for children aged six weeks to two years, prioritizing families who have historically faced barriers to affordable child care. Enrollment is open to all eligible families living in or near the identified provider communities, without income requirements.
Mayor Adams said the initiative “ensures that infants and toddlers in the communities with the greatest need have access to high-quality early learning from the very start — at no cost to families,” and added that by expanding care for children as young as six weeks old, the program gives New Yorkers a strong foundation while making life more affordable for parents. He noted that “this is what it looks like when a city invests boldly and unapologetically in its people and prioritizes making our home the best place to live and raise a family.”
The program builds on existing city efforts to make early education more accessible, including the 3-K expansion, the “After-School for All” initiative, and pilot programs supporting parents and families. The administration has also reduced child care costs significantly, from $55 per week in 2022 to less than $5 per week for a family of four with subsidies, and has worked to ensure every child applying for 3-K on time received a seat.
For a full list of participating providers, visit the NYC Birth-to-2 Child Care Initiative
