Affordability issues are impacting families across the five boroughs, and one of the largest expenses challenging families’ ability to stay in NYC is child care. Implementing universal child care isn’t just a policy goal, it’s a win-win for our city’s future. High-quality, affordable, and accessible care strengthens families, supports economic growth, and ensures every child has the foundation to thrive. There are clear steps our elected representatives can take to make this vision a reality.

Here are key facts about child care in NYC:

• Universal child care is essential for children’s healthy development and school readiness. It supports family stability and economic vitality, helping parents stay in the workforce and reducing poverty.
• Child Care is unaffordable, with 80% of families with children under 5 unable to afford care. Coupled with rising housing and food costs, NYC families are enduring serious economic hardship.
• Universal child care must guarantee free and affordable access for all families, regardless of income, disability, immigration status, or neighborhood, so parents aren’t forced to choose between work and basic needs. Programs should deliver high-quality, inclusive care and prioritize equity by focusing on communities most impacted by systemic barriers.
• Barriers to access impact children inequitably. Children with disabilities often lack mandated services or seats. Families in shelters and immigrant families encounter enrollment and language barriers. The locations and hours of sites don’t always match community need.
• The child care workforce also faces challenges. Child care educators—mostly women of color—earn poverty-level wages, making retention difficult. Credentialed staff shortages and lengthy onboarding processes hinder program stability. Pay parity with public school teachers and sustainable wage supplements are critical.

With these critical facts in mind, there is a pathway forward that supports affordability for all NYC families. Our leaders must:

• Expand access by targeting child care deserts through investments and streamlined enrollment.
• Age down the system by building on the successes and lessons learned from the implementation of universal 3K and Pre-K.
• Stabilize funding with greater budget investments and improved payment systems for timely reimbursements.
• Invest in the workforce with competitive salaries and professional development opportunities.
• Integrate and modernize enrollment systems to unify DOE, ACS, and voucher programs.