A long-awaited preschool in New York City's Upper East Side is finally set to open its doors, putting an end to the mystery surrounding its empty state for months. This development comes after an investigation by the Post, which revealed that the city-run facility had been left vacant, much to the dismay of local parents.
The former parking garage at 403 E. 65th Street, initially scheduled to welcome pre-K and 3-K students in fall 2024, will now accommodate over 130 students starting in September. Mayor Zohran Mamdani made the announcement on Thursday, addressing the pressing issue of early childhood education in the city.
"For far too long, parents across New York City have faced a severe shortage of 3K and Pre-K seats in their neighborhoods," Mamdani stated during a news conference. He highlighted the difficult choices families had to make, either enrolling their children in distant schools or paying out-of-pocket for childcare.
Mamdani even referenced The Post's exclusive report on the phantom school building and the frustration of local parents over the delayed opening. "While parents were searching for childcare options, they would pass by a potential solution right under their noses, wondering why its doors remained shut," he said, quoting a concerned mother who described it as "a slap in the face" every time they walked by.
The massive early childhood education center, leased by the city from a private landlord, was initially set to welcome young learners in fall 2024 under then-Mayor Eric Adams. The plan aimed to address the growing demand for more classroom seats in the upscale neighborhood. However, the city's Department of Education appeared to have shelved the project, stating last month that "no final decisions have been made on how this building location will be utilized."
A DOE spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that the 30,000-square-foot site had been prepared "over the last few weeks," emphasizing that the quick turnaround did not require a procurement process as the center will be managed by the district.
"Every parent on the Upper East Side wants their child to have access to a quality program," said Danielle Avissar, a mom from the neighborhood. Miral Sattar, a podcaster and mother of three who resides on the Upper East Side, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the city's universal pre-K and 3-K program.
"I know people have turned down spots because they've received offers in Chinatown, which is simply too far for most families on the Upper East Side," Sattar told The Post. She shared her own experience of having to decline an early education seat for her daughter due to its 45-minute distance from home, opting instead for a private option closer by.
"It's too expensive for us, so it's likely too expensive for others as well," Sattar said, praising the new center as an "amazing" addition to the community. The center will be the first standalone site of its kind in the zip code, significantly increasing pre-K capacity with 72 seats and quadrupling 3-K capacity with 60 seats.
"We're known as one of the most expensive communities in the city, and we want to foster economic diversity," said Valerie Mason, chairperson of Manhattan Community Board 8. "We want to ensure that singles who move here can stay and raise a family on the Upper East Side, and affordable education is crucial for that."
City Council speaker and longtime Upper East Side representative Julie Menin described the opening of the center as "long overdue," noting that approximately 853 early childcare centers have closed in recent years while demand has soared. Meanwhile, an estimated 110,000 children under 5 have left Gotham with their families, relocating to suburbs and other parts of the country.
"I've heard countless parents tell us, 'if we don't get affordable childcare, we're going to leave the city,'" Menin said. "At the end of the day, we need to expand childcare facilities citywide to ensure that every parent who needs a spot for 3-K and pre-K can access it."
The new mayoral administration criticized Adams for the delay, stating that "the site was completed in July 2025 and remained unused under the prior administration despite the community's need." A Mamdani spokesperson emphasized that "this is part of this mayor's commitment to improving 3-K for families. We're delivering on our promise."
Mamdani highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to expand 3-K capacity for the upcoming year by partnering with community-based and home-based childcare providers. Additionally, the city is expected to open 2,000 2-K seats this fall, marking the first time this program will be offered in New York City.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some may argue that the opening of this preschool is a step in the right direction, but is it enough to address the broader childcare crisis in New York City? What are your thoughts on the matter? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
