Mamdani and Obama Promote Free Childcare at Bronx Visit

Mayor and former president read, sing with toddlers to highlight new universal childcare initiatives.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:03pm

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A warm, nostalgic painting depicting Mayor Mamdani and President Obama sitting on the floor of a sunlit childcare center, reading a picture book to a group of attentive toddlers. The scene conveys a sense of community, connection, and the importance of investing in early childhood education.The joyful scene of the mayor and former president engaging with young children underscores the political significance of their partnership to expand access to affordable childcare.NYC Today

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former President Barack Obama visited a childcare center in the Bronx on Saturday, reading books and singing songs with toddlers to promote Mamdani's push for free, universal childcare in the city. The visit came as Mamdani has made expanding access to early childhood education a key priority in his first 100 days in office.

Why it matters

Providing affordable, high-quality childcare is a major policy focus for the Mamdani administration, which has already struck deals with the state to deliver free childcare for two-year-olds and plans to expand it further. The mayor's partnership with the popular former president signals growing political momentum behind these efforts.

The details

During the visit, Mamdani and Obama led the group of toddlers in singing 'Wheels on the Bus' and reading the book 'Alone & Together.' The pair also discussed Mamdani's affordability agenda and joked about which city had better pizza. The event highlighted the mayor's plans to open seven new early childhood education centers this fall and expand the city's 3-K program.

  • Mayor Mamdani and President Obama visited the Bronx childcare center on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Mamdani announced plans last week to open seven new early childhood education centers across New York City this fall.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has made expanding access to affordable childcare a key priority in his first term.

Barack Obama

The former president of the United States, who offered enthusiastic support for Mamdani's childcare initiatives during the Bronx visit.

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What they’re saying

“This is what we need, making an investment in these amazing kids.”

— Barack Obama, Former President

“We've always said over the course of the campaign, we would deliver it for New Yorkers from the ages of six weeks to five years. What we've started in these first 100 days was fixing the system for three-year-olds. We've delivered on that.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor

What’s next

The Mamdani administration is pushing to achieve universal childcare for children under five by the end of the mayor's first term.

The takeaway

Mayor Mamdani's partnership with the popular former president Obama signals growing political momentum behind the administration's efforts to make affordable, high-quality childcare accessible to all New York City families.