By Vernon Verdree
Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani convened his first roundtable with ethnic and community media this week, signaling an early priority for his administration: expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare through the city’s Pre-K and 3-K enrollment programs.
During a wide-ranging, 45-minute discussion, Mayor Mamdani and senior members of his education team—including officials from the Mayor’s Office for Childcare, the Deputy Chancellor for Early Childhood, and the Chief of Student Enrollment at New York City Public Schools—outlined the enrollment process and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to universal access.
The mayor emphasized that Pre-K and 3-K enrollment are not niche programs but citywide investments designed to support children and working families across all communities. He urged parents and guardians to submit applications before the February 27 deadline, stressing the proven benefits of early childhood education for children’s development and family stability. Many of the journalists in attendance represented minority and immigrant communities, which the mayor described as central to the program’s success.
Mamdani also underscored the critical role of ethnic and community media in reaching families who might otherwise be left out. “You are trusted voices,” he told participants, encouraging continued collaboration to ensure accurate information reaches every neighborhood.
That theme carried into a lively question-and-answer session, where reporters raised concerns about language barriers, fear, and a lack of trust in government—particularly amid reports of Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in sanctuary cities such as New York. Mayor Mamdani reiterated his administration’s commitment to defending all New Yorkers and ensuring that access to childcare and education is not undermined by fear or intimidation.
City officials described ongoing outreach efforts aimed at building trust and ensuring families are aware of their options for affordable, high-quality childcare. The administration, they said, intends to work closely with community partners and ethnic media outlets to fulfill that mission.
For more information on Pre-K and 3-K enrollment, visit www.myschools.nyc.
