New Upper East Side preschool opens, focusing on increasing accessibility and providing local educational programs for families.

New York City Mayor Mamdani announced the opening of a new preschool on the Upper East Side on Thursday, a facility that has been ready since last summer but did not launch in time for the current school year, much to the frustration of local parents seeking affordable childcare options in the affluent neighborhood. The center, located on 65th Street between York and First Avenues, will accommodate 72 children aged four and 60 children aged three, with its doors set to open in September.

The announcement aims to address a significant disparity in the city’s early childhood education system. Despite the availability of thousands of free preschool slots, many of these programs are positioned far from the homes of potential students, leaving parents with limited options. As part of the mayor’s early initiatives, he secured 0 million from Governor Hochul to expand 3-K programs in neighborhoods experiencing prolonged waitlists for enrollment.

Mamdani emphasized the prolonged difficulties parents have faced in accessing pre-K and 3-K seats in their local areas, which has forced many families into difficult choices: seeking distant options or incurring high out-of-pocket childcare expenses. He highlighted the irony of a newly completed building standing empty while families struggled to find care.

As of December, data indicates that the city had enrolled more than 42,400 students in 3-K programs, leaving approximately 9,600 seats unfilled, which represents an 82% utilization rate citywide. However, some neighborhoods, particularly the Upper East Side, have more young children than available seats, creating a competitive and stressful application cycle for parents.

Addressing community concerns, Mamdani recounted a conversation with a family member who expressed anxiety about the competition for available seats. Recognizing the city’s uneven distribution of resources, the administration is also prioritizing outreach to families in areas where demand for 3-K is lower. Emily Liss, director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, noted that reaching families with limited access to government resources is a key part of increasing participation.

Although application numbers for early childhood education have remained consistent with previous years, the mayor expressed optimism that there would be an uptick as the registration deadline approaches, attributing this to increased outreach efforts. The City Council, represented by Council Speaker Julie Menin during the announcement, plans to engage in a “day of action” to further promote enrollment across the city.

The deadline for 3-K and pre-K applications is set for February 27, and officials stress the importance of expanding child care facilities to ensure that every parent seeking enrollment has the opportunity to secure a place for their child.