NYC kids hold endless potential

On each of the more than 2,000 playgrounds in the five boroughs, children are playing together, dreaming of all they can become as the next generation of New Yorkers. New York City has actively invested in these public parks and playgrounds, as well as educational programs that support well-rounded learning environments. The Office of the Mayor is making NYC the best place to raise a family, and they understand why it’s essential to support our youngest neighbors! 

This begins with the expansion of several successful programs. Parents with toddlers can take advantage of New York City’s nearly $170 million investment in citywide 3-K. Thanks to these efforts, a record 150,000 children are enrolled across the city today, and out-of-pocket costs of subsidized child care have been reduced from $55 per week in 2022 to $5 per week today. 

And for our millions of working parents, the city has budgeted $331 million to expand “After-School for All” for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, adding an additional 20,000 seats over three schools years to serve a total of 184,000 K-8 students. These programs offer opportunities in sports, robotics, the arts, and more, giving kids a safe and engaging space to learn while their parents work.

Additionally, the city’s investments in NYC Reads and NYC Solves programming proves to be working, as test scores for grades three to eight show the city’s proficiency rates in both English and math surpassed New York State and reached the highest level since 2012. And for the 2025/2026 school year, both programs have been expanded to serve over 490,000 grade school students and will be fully implemented in all middle schools by the 2027/2028 school year.

Our children are growing up in a city that recognizes their potential and invests in their future. But it’s not just about the young kids in New York. More than $15 million has been committed since 2021 to ensure that 15,000 young New Yorkers are connected to apprenticeships, offering on-the-job training in high-demand careers and creating a pipeline of talent for employers. 

Additionally, the city is giving students the tools they need to succeed through the “Financial Literacy for Youth” (FLY) program. Currently in 15 public school districts, the FLY program helps students learn how to spend and save wisely. The initiative will also place a financial educator in every district by 2030 and is expected to serve over 350,000 public school students and family members.

Over 300,000 of your neighbors work for the City of New York; their hard work, constant innovation, and teamwork make our city safer and more affordable, consistently delivering valuable benefits, services, and opportunities, every day and everywhere, to every New Yorker.

For more information about your city agencies and what they can do for you, visit deliveringforyou.nyc.