Applications are now open for 3-K and pre-K in New York City through Feb. 27.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels visited a child care center in Cyprus Hills on Wednesday to encourage parents to apply.

The program is open to all children who are turning 3 and 4 years old, regardless of immigration status.

“Every child, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves access to a high-quality early childhood education, and no parent should have to make tough decisions to ensure that their kids are set up for lifelong success,” said Samuels.

Placement has been a concern for parents previously, who say often their children are given seats in centers in other boroughs far from where they live.

The mayor says that's a focus, with more than $100 million in state funding, was committed to fixing 3-K.

"To ensure not only could we offer every child a seat that wanted one but make it easier to actually take the city up on that offer," the mayor said when asked what structural changes were being made to ensure children can get placed at centers close to home.

The mayor says his team is focusing on messaging and meeting people where they are instead of waiting for applications to come in, something he criticized the previous administration of.

"The past administration sought not only to cut funding for the program but also to cut outreach and advertising about early childhood education as well," Mamdani said.

New York is among five states that are facing a federal freeze on child care and federal assistance programs by the Trump administration. A judge has issued a temporary restraining order from the freeze being implemented while the case is being heard in court.

The mayor said he reached out to the president on Tuesday night, after he threatened to cut federal funds to sanctuary cities. As of Wednesday afternoon, Mamdani said he had not yet touched base with the president in regard to the threat.

"I reached out to President Trump, we have not yet connected...I want to be very clear, our values and our laws are not bargaining chips, we will stand up to them, and we will stand up to them in the face of these threats," Mamdani said.

To apply for 3-K or pre-K, parents can visit NYC MySchools or call 718-935-2009.