Mayor Mamdani Opens Upper East Side Child Center

New 3-K and Pre-K facility adds over 130 seats in District 2

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the 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. The center, which was completed in July 2025 but remained unused under the prior administration, will be the first standalone, city-run early childhood center in the 10065 ZIP code.

Why it matters

The opening of this new child care center underscores the administration's commitment to expanding access to early childhood education and delivering on the promise of universal child care in New York City. It comes amid a citywide campaign to encourage families to apply for 3-K and Pre-K seats before the February 27th deadline.

The details

The District 2 Pre-K and 3-K Center will open this September, providing more than 130 new seats for early childhood education programs. The facility was completed in July 2025 but remained unused under the previous administration despite community need. Now, under Mayor Mamdani, it will become the first standalone, city-run early childhood center in the 10065 ZIP code.

  • The District 2 Pre-K and 3-K Center was completed in July 2025.
  • The center will open and begin offering seats in September 2026.

The players

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who announced the opening of the new child care center.

Kamar Samuels

The Schools Chancellor, who emphasized the city's commitment to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education.

Julie Menin

The Speaker of the New York City Council, who has been a longtime champion of expanding 3-K and Pre-K access in the city.

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What they’re saying

“While New York City families waited anxiously for child care options near their homes, the last administration refused to move with the urgency this crisis demands and let the District 2 Pre-K and 3-K Center sit idle for months. No longer.”

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (Mirage News)

“Every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their zip code or circumstances. The opening of this 3-K and Pre-K center demonstrates our commitment to meeting families and communities where they are and providing the resources they need most.”

— Kamar Samuels, Schools Chancellor (Mirage News)

“This is a big win for families in our district. Community Board 8 and I have been pushing for this center to open because parents were promised high-quality, accessible early childhood seats and they deserve nothing less.”

— Julie Menin, Speaker (Mirage News)

What’s next

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.

The takeaway

The opening of this new child care center in the Upper East Side is a significant step towards the administration's goal of delivering universal child care in New York City, providing more accessible early childhood education options for families in the community.