Mayor Mamdani Announces Opening of New UES Preschool

Facility will double pre-K and quadruple 3K capacity in the 10065 ZIP code

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the opening of a new 30,000 square foot early childhood education center in the Upper East Side, which will serve 72 four-year-olds in pre-K and 60 three-year-olds in 3K. The facility, located at 403 East 65th Street, has sat vacant for months despite being completed last summer, leaving families in the neighborhood without nearby childcare options. The mayor was joined by City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal to celebrate the center's opening and discuss the city's efforts to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare.

Why it matters

The new preschool center is part of the city's push to make universal childcare a reality, addressing a shortage of 3K and pre-K seats that has forced many families to seek care far from their neighborhoods or pay high out-of-pocket costs. The opening of this facility more than doubles pre-K capacity and quadruples 3K capacity in the 10065 ZIP code, helping to keep families in the city by providing affordable, accessible early childhood education options.

The details

The new early childhood education center is located in a former parking garage and will serve 72 four-year-olds in pre-K and 60 three-year-olds in 3K. Families in the 10065 ZIP code can apply for spots at the center through the city's MySchools.nyc portal or by calling 718-935-2009 by the February 27th deadline. The center's opening comes after months of the facility sitting vacant, frustrating local parents who had to seek childcare options elsewhere.

  • The new early childhood education center was completed in the summer of 2025.
  • The center's classrooms have sat vacant since July 2025 until the official opening today.
  • Families have until February 27, 2026 to apply for spots at the new center.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City, who announced the opening of the new preschool center.

Julie Menin

The Speaker of the New York City Council, who has been a longtime advocate for expanding access to affordable childcare.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal

The Manhattan Borough President, who praised the new center as an example of community partnership and grassroots activism.

Valerie Mason

The Chair of Community Board 8, which has long called for more early childhood education resources in the Upper East Side neighborhood.

Addeson Lehv

A member of Community Board 8 who was present at the opening event.

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What they’re saying

“This is an amazing day, not only for the East Side, but for the city as a whole. We have to remember that we've had about 853 childcare facilities that have closed citywide in recent years, and yet the demand is higher than ever, but our supply is lower.”

— Julie Menin, City Council Speaker (Mirage News)

“This is an example of community partnership, grassroots activism, really at the neighborhood level making policy differences here on the east side.”

— Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan Borough President (Mirage News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This new preschool center is a significant step forward in the city's efforts to provide universal childcare, addressing a longstanding shortage of 3K and pre-K seats in the Upper East Side neighborhood. The opening of this facility demonstrates the power of community advocacy and the city's commitment to keeping families in New York by making high-quality, affordable early childhood education more accessible.