What you should know
- Nearly 13,000 New Yorkers voted on finalists selected by Cardi B and Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Winning jingle will be featured in a citywide campaign encouraging families to apply for free child care for 2-year-olds
- Applications open now through June 26 at MySchools.nyc
New York – After nearly 13,000 New Yorkers cast their votes, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced today the winner of the NYC 2-K Jingle Contest: Allegra Levy.
More than 300 New Yorkers submitted jingles celebrating the City’s new 2-K program. The final five entries were selected by Bronx-born rapper Cardi B and Washington Heights native Lin-Manuel Miranda before being put to a public vote. Mayor Mamdani first announced the jingle contest alongside Cardi B in April.
“Congratulations to Allegra for creating a jingle that’s going to be stuck in New Yorkers’ heads for a long time – and for helping us spread the word about one of the most important investments we can make in working families,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, child care costs have forced parents to choose between paying the bills and caring for their children. With 2-K, we’re building a city where every New Yorker is a winner. This jingle will help more parents learn about the free child care available to them and encourage every family to apply.”
As the winner of the contest, Allegra’s jingle will be featured in City outreach and advertising campaigns promoting enrollment in 2-K.
First announced in January by Mayor Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, 2-K is New York City’s effort to deliver free, accessible, high-quality child care for 2-year-olds. The program will launch with 2,000 free seats this fall and expand to universal access within four years.
Neighborhoods receiving free 2-K seats this fall include Canarsie, Brownsville, Inwood, the Rockaways, Ozone Park and Fordham, to name a few.
The majority of seats will provide full-day care from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 260 days a year, replacing the traditional 180-day school calendar and providing working families with reliable, year-round child care.
Families in Community School Districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27 can apply for 2-K through June 26 through MySchools, by calling 718-935-2009 or by visiting a Family Welcome Center.
Allegra’s winning jingle can be heard here:
Childcare for all
2-K this fall
Myschools.nyc
Myschools.nyc
Come along and learn with me
Come along and learn with me
Myschools.nyc
Myschools.nyc
Come along and learn with me
Come along and learn – for free!
(Yay)