In New York City, milestones come in all shapes and sizes—and for 3- and 4-year-olds, they sometimes happen on a subway platform.
City kids can tap an OMNY card before they can tie their shoes, pronounce dinosaur names that stump adults thanks to afternoons (or sleepovers) spent at the Museum of Natural History, and navigate a crowded sidewalk like seasoned pros. As these tiny New Yorkers grow more independent, one big milestone looms large for families: their little learners starting school.
Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced major new investments in early childhood education—expanding free child care for 2-year-olds and moving New York City closer to universal 3-K and Pre-K, with a focus on easing costs for families and widening access where it’s needed most…