Mamdani’s free childcare expansion still isn’t funded — and providers are scrambling to open schools: ‘Many trusted him’

Zo careless.

Frustrated providers tasked with delivering Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s promise of universal childcare — including a new, free 2-K program — complained the city is stiffing them out of six-figure payments, forcing them to dig into their own pockets just two weeks before the start of the school year.

Scores of childcare center operators contracted by the city for 2-K, 3-K and pre-K programs griped that advance payments usually sent in August haven’t arrived, leaving them scrambling to cover supplies, staffing and other basics in order to open in time.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/28/us-news/mamdanis-free-childcare-expansion-snarled-by-funding-delays-leaving-providers-frustrated/