Cardi B Joins NYC Mayor to Announce Landmark 2-K Free Childcare Initiative
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani teamed up with Grammy-award winning rapper Cardi B to announce the opening of applications for the city’s groundbreaking 2-K program. This initiative will provide 2,000 free childcare seats for two-year-olds, a significant step towards accessible and affordable childcare for New York families.
In a video released Friday, Cardi B, a proud Bronx native, passionately emphasized the importance of this program. “Sometimes us women, we can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids,” she stated, highlighting the challenges many mothers face in balancing career and family.
Key Dates and Application Details
- Application Launch: June 2
- Application Deadline: June 26
- Offer Release: August
The 2-K program was initially unveiled in March by Mayor Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The state is fully funding the program for its first two years, with an initial investment of $73 million for the first round of seats. The state is prepared to invest up to $425 million in the program next year, demonstrating a strong commitment to early childhood education.
Get Creative: The 2-K Jingles Competition
Mayor Mamdani is also launching a creative competition, inviting New Yorkers to submit original 15 to 30-second jingles encouraging families to apply for 2-K. A panel of judges, including Cardi B herself, will review submissions, followed by a public vote to determine the winner. The winning jingle will become the official 2-K theme song for the city and will be broadcast on local radio stations.
Submissions can be made online and must be received by April 17. This is a fantastic opportunity for New Yorkers to showcase their creativity and contribute to a vital community program.
A Future Where Families Don’t Have to Choose
“As Cardi B says: ‘I can get ’em both. I don’t wanna choose.’ With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to,” Mayor Mamdani declared. “For too long, families have been forced to choose between affordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care in the greatest city in the world.”
The 2-K program will initially roll out across five districts within New York City. This initiative represents a significant investment in the future of New York’s children and families, ensuring that all children have access to quality early childhood education.
For more information on childcare resources and support in New York, visit The Office of Head Start.
