NYC early childhood chief Simone Hawkins to leave Education Department

August 3, 2026 - 07:47

Simone Hawkins, the deputy chancellor for early childhood education at the New York City Department of Education, will leave her post in September. Her departure comes just as the city gears up to roll out its expanded 2-K childcare initiative, a program designed to offer free, full-day pre-kindergarten to two-year-olds.

Hawkins has led the division since 2022, overseeing the massive expansion of 3-K and pre-K programs that serve tens of thousands of families. During her tenure, the city added thousands of seats and worked to stabilize a sector hit hard by the pandemic. Her exit is not tied to any dispute or policy clash, according to sources familiar with the matter, who described it as a personal decision after a long stretch in public service.

The timing, however, raises questions about continuity. The 2-K program, which is set to phase in over the next few years, is one of the mayor's signature education priorities. It aims to close gaps in access to early learning, especially in lower-income neighborhoods. Hawkins was instrumental in shaping the early blueprint for that rollout, including how to recruit providers and manage space constraints.

No successor has been named yet. A department spokesperson said the search for a new leader will begin immediately, with an interim appointment expected before Hawkins steps down. Staff within the early childhood division have been briefed on the transition, and officials insist that day-to-day operations will not be disrupted.

Hawkins did not issue a public statement beyond a brief note to colleagues, thanking them for their work and expressing confidence in the team's ability to carry the 2-K launch forward. Her last day is expected to be September 15.