Mayor Mamdani Announces Opening of Upper East Side Early Childhood Education Center This Fall

Meets Critical Demand in District

After years of delays under the prior administration, center will open in time for 3-K and Pre-K enrollment – quadrupling 3-K capacity and doubling Pre-K capacity in the ZIP code

Families have until Feb. 27, 2026 to apply for Pre-K and 3-K

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the long-anticipated opening of the District 2 Pre-K and 3-K Center at 403 E. 65th St. on the Upper East Side, adding more than 130 Pre-K and 3-K seats this September.

First announced in 2022, the site was completed in July 2025 and remained unused under the prior administration despite community need. It will now open as the first standalone, city-run early childhood center in the 10065 ZIP code, underscoring the administration’s commitment to fixing the City’s 3-K system and delivering universal child care in New York City.

This announcement comes amid a citywide campaign encouraging families in every corner of the city to apply for 3-K and Pre-K seats. Through LinkNYC advertisements in multiple languages, engagement with multilingual media and digital content creators and partnerships with faith-based and community organizations, the City is urging every family to apply before the Feb. 27, 2026 deadline.

As part of the City’s commitment to universal child care, and with funding provided by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Mamdani will roll out an initial 2,000 2-K seats this fall – the first time 2-K will be offered in New York City. Earlier this month, the City issued a new request for information (RFI) for 2-K and 3-K providers to deliver early child care services. It marks the first time in five years that providers have been invited to join the 3-K program.

In the coming months, the City will continue expanding 3-K capacity for fall 2026, including by partnering with community-based and home-based child care providers.

403 East 65th Street

New York, NY 10065

February 19, 2026