Universal Childcare for Youngest New Yorkers: A Growing Concern
Rally Demands Free Childcare for Children as Young as Two
Over one hundred parents and toddlers huddled outside of City Hall on Sunday to demand universal childcare for children as young as two years old.
The Struggle is Real
While New Yorkers say the Big Apple is a wonderful city to raise kids, they also lament its financial impact on a family unit to put a child through early educational care. According to New Yorkers United for Child Care, which organized the January 12th rally, on average, programs cost families $23,000 per child each year — placing economic hardships on young families, especially for those with more than one tot.
Personal Stories of Struggle
"I started calculating what my childcare costs would be for two kids for the year, and it came out to be $59,000. I’m not talking about fancy pants programs. This is your regular, local daycare and preschool that was within walking distance of our apartment," said Stephanie Park of Brooklyn. "That is money that our household should be using to pay student loans, to be putting towards a down payment on an apartment, or to be putting into our kids’ college."
The Importance of Early Childhood Education
Parents and advocates say this is so important not just because New Yorkers collectively spend $14 billion on childcare annually but also because they charge that 80% of brain growth in children happens before the age of 3, and they need important stimuli.
The Solution: Universal 2-Care
Many parents and guardians agreed with Park as they assembled in City Hall Park on Sunday, hoisting signs demanding universal childcare in one hand and their young child in the other despite the chilly winds. They want the city to fund Universal 2-Care, offering free childcare for children as young as two daily between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Supporters also want the program to make such childcare accessible within a 15-minute walking distance of a household.
Support from Elected Officials
A slew of elected officials — including two mayoral candidates: City Comptroller Brad Lander and Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos — joined the rally in support of the initiative. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who is running to replace Lander as city comptroller, declared that he believed if universal 2-Care became a reality, it would pay for itself since many parents currently forced to stay home with their children would be freed to achieve employment and, in turn, garner more money for the city.
Conclusion
Universal 2-Care is not just a pipe dream, but a necessity for the future of New York City. The city’s $100 billion budget can easily accommodate this initiative, which would not only benefit families but also the economy as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Universal 2-Care?
A: Universal 2-Care is a proposed initiative to provide free childcare for children as young as two years old, five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Q: How much will this cost?
A: The city is expected to spend $23,000 per child each year on average.
Q: Why is this important?
A: 80% of brain growth in children happens before the age of 3, and they need important stimuli.
Q: Will this pay for itself?
A: Yes, many parents currently forced to stay home with their children would be freed to achieve employment and, in turn, garner more money for the city.
