NYC Unveils 'Two Care' Program for Free Child Care for 2-Year-Olds

'Two Care' Program Launch

• 🎯 Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul announced a new program called 'Two Care', offering free universal child care for all 2-year-olds in New York City.
• 💡 This initiative is a significant step towards Mayor Adams' campaign promise of universal child care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old.
• 🗓️ The program will initially launch in high-need areas this year and is slated for full citywide expansion by the 2028-2029 school year.

Funding and Expansion

• 💰 Governor Hochul has committed state dollars to fund the first two years of the 'Two Care' program, aiming for government-funded universal child care statewide.
• 📈 This initiative complements the existing 3K program and includes an additional $1.2 billion investment in child care subsidies for low-income families.
• 🏫 Hochul also aims to establish universal pre-K access for all four-year-old children in the state by 2028.

New Office and Legislative Process

• 🏢 A new Office of Child Care and Early Education will be established to oversee the rollout of 'Two Care', 3K, and pre-K programs.
• 🏛️ The plan requires approval from the state legislature, which recently returned to Albany for the new session, placing pressure to include these initiatives in the budget.

Affordability and Personal Motivation

• 💬 Governor Hochul emphasized that this is a personal priority, aiming to prevent families from leaving the state due to the high cost of child care, which can range from $25,000 to $40,000 per year.
• 🤝 The program is a key part of the administration's affordability agenda to support working families.