In his 2013 campaign for New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio made universal prekindergarten a central part of his platform. Initially an underdog, de Blasio capitalized on a post-Occupy moment of indignation at social and economic inequality. The prospect of “opportunity” that universal pre-K would provide dovetailed nicely with the “Tale of Two Cities” ethos he pushed on the stump.

Despite New York City’s existing pre-K offerings, which were fairly robust then, the promise of universal, full-day, high-quality prekindergarten was still a grand one. Before 2014, New York City had about 36,000 half-day pre-K seats and 19,000 full-day seats according to the city Department of Education. There are about 70,000 four-year-olds in the city. If elected, de Blasio’s administration would have had to increase funding to make those half-day seats full day, as well as add 15,000 more full day seats if it wanted to provide for every family of a four year old who desired pre-K.

Nearly three years after the election, de Blasio has done that. Roughly $300 million was secured in additional state funding to expand the program. By the start of the school year this fall, enrollment numbers are expected to reach 70,000. After two “ramp-up” years, universal pre-K is now fully funded and staffed.