NYC Parents Demand Solutions as Child Care Costs Soar Ahead of Election

New York City parents are facing an escalating crisis as the soaring costs of child care threaten their financial stability. According to research published last year, families with children under six are more than twice as likely to consider leaving the city compared to those without children. With the upcoming mayoral election, child care has emerged as a pivotal issue for voters, particularly for those seeking affordable solutions.

The average annual cost of center-based child care in the city reached a staggering $26,000 in January, reflecting a 43% increase since 2019, according to a report by city Comptroller Brad Lander. This financial burden is second only to housing expenses, making it a significant concern for families. Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani has made addressing the rising costs a central theme of his campaign, pledging to implement free universal child care for children aged six weeks to five years.

During a recent Child Care Summit held at the Dumbo headquarters of the online marketplace Etsy, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed support for Mamdani’s vision. “I’ve talked to Zohran Mamdani and others who are thoughtful and want to see a path forward,” Hochul stated, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach with adequate funding to tackle this challenge.

The summit attracted business leaders and policymakers, signifying the growing recognition that child care affordability is critical to maintaining the city’s family population. As parents like Kavita Maginn and her husband Ciarán express concerns about their neighborhood becoming less accessible to families, the urgency for solutions becomes palpable. Maginn, who works in marketing, described child care costs as “basically like second rent,” noting, “I feel lucky to have a solid job, but really you barely have any type of additional income for vacations and things like that.”

Hochul and Mamdani differ on funding strategies for a multibillion-dollar universal child care program. Mamdani proposes increasing corporate and income taxes for the top 1% of earners in New York, while Hochul advocates for greater private sector involvement. She highlighted how Etsy provides opportunities for employees to access on-site child care, encouraging more companies to follow suit.

The urgency of the child care crisis is echoed by Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care. She emphasized the severe repercussions of rising costs on the city’s tax base, stating, “That’s middle working-class families. That’s upper-class families. That’s our tax base that’s leaving New York City… so it’s a real disaster.” Bailin has been instrumental in mobilizing parents as a political force since 2022, when proposed cuts to the city’s 3-K and pre-K budget sparked widespread outrage.

In response to community pressure, Mayor Eric Adams restored most of the proposed cuts, increasing investment in 3-K funding to $167 million. The city’s Independent Budget Office reported that New York City spent $1.78 billion on both 3-K and pre-K in fiscal year 2024, marking a 5.9% increase from the previous year.

Despite the rising costs, many families find themselves navigating a challenging child care landscape. Charles Scholl, a father of one, noted that child care expenses have surpassed his rent, estimating their monthly costs at around $2,600. He expressed hope that his daughter would soon qualify for pre-K, allowing them to alleviate some financial strain.

For families like Molly Burke and her husband, the financial burden of child care is overwhelming. While their older child benefits from a free pre-K program, they anticipate spending nearly $100,000 on child care for their younger child before kindergarten. Burke described the situation as feeling exorbitant, even with both parents working full-time.

Finding available child care options presents additional challenges. Dinna Soliman resorted to hiring a nanny for her daughter due to long waiting lists for day care. “I was trying to get into day cares when she was smaller, but there’s waiting lists everywhere,” she explained. The difficulties of securing child care make the need for systemic reform increasingly urgent.

Bailin’s organization has proposed a roadmap for achieving universal child care, with a current focus on a new initiative for two-year-olds. The city has already allocated $10 million for a pilot program aimed at providing child care for low-income families with children aged two. Bailin remarked, “If we can get 2-care in 2026, that would be pretty major,” highlighting the incremental steps necessary to achieve broader access.

As New York City parents prepare to vote in the upcoming mayoral election, the demand for affordable and accessible child care continues to grow. With the stakes high for families across the city, the outcome of this election may significantly shape the future of child care policy and the overall wellbeing of New York’s families.