Cardi B teams up with Mamdani to promote free 2-K program
Mamdani announces child care pilot program for NYC municipal workers
FOX 5 NY's Robert Moses has the details.
BRONX - Rapper Cardi B is throwing her support behind New York City’s push to expand free child care, teaming up with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to promote a new initiative aimed at the city’s youngest learners.
What we know:
Mamdani announced Friday that the city will begin rolling out a universal "2-K" program this fall, offering free child care for 2-year-olds.
The effort builds on the city’s existing pre-K and 3-K programs and is expected to include 2,000 seats in its initial phase, with a focus on the Bronx.
Enrollment for the program is set to begin in June.
Cardi B, who grew up in the New York City public school system and is now raising young children of her own, said the initiative addresses a major barrier for working parents.
"I feel like free childcare is very important," she said during an appearance with the mayor. "Sometimes us women, we can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids."
Free child care for toddlers? What to know about NYC’s new '2-Care' program
The plan would guarantee access to pre-K for every four-year-old by the 2028-29 school year, including in districts that currently lack programs. See details on the proposal here.
The Grammy-winning artist also agreed to take part in a citywide contest to help promote the program. Officials are asking New Yorkers to submit original jingles highlighting 2-K, with Cardi B serving as a judge.
"We’re going to have a competition to create a jingle," Mamdani said. "New Yorkers are going to submit their best jingle."
Cardi B quickly signed on.
"Oh, I will judge it for sure," she said.
Local perspective:
The mayor framed the expansion as a step toward making early childhood education more accessible and affordable for families across the city.
What's next:
The contest is expected to launch alongside enrollment efforts, with officials hoping the collaboration will boost awareness and participation ahead of the fall rollout.
The Source: This report is based on information from the mayor.