New York City is a place where families come to build dreams, but in recent years, too many parents have told us a heartbreaking truth: They love their neighborhood, they love their community, but they can’t afford to raise their children here. One of the biggest reasons? The crushing cost of child care. For too many working families, quality care for their toddlers costs more than rent or a mortgage. It’s an impossible choice: Pay a second rent for child care, or uproot your life and move elsewhere. This is not the kind of city we want to be.
We can — and must — change that. We’ve seen what happens when New York makes bold investments in children. Universal Pre- for four-year-olds was transformative. It gave children a strong start, relieved parents of a huge financial burden, and became a model for the nation. Families stayed in the city because they knew their children would have a safe, enriching place to learn. And it didn’t just benefit individual families — our entire city gained from the increased economic activity, workforce participation, and long-term educational outcomes.
Now it’s time to build on that success and expand universal, high-quality care to our two- and three-year-olds. The evidence is clear: Early childhood education isn’t just babysitting; it’s a foundation for lifelong learning, emotional development, and social skills. Studies show that the earlier we invest, the bigger the return — for children, for families, and for society. Yet in New York City today, access to these opportunities depends on your ZIP code and your income. That’s unacceptable in a city that prides itself on equality and opportunity…