NEW YORK – Members of the New York City Council are preparing legislation to create universal, free child care in the city.
The bill, which has been in the works for nearly a year, was developed in careful consultation with advocates, providers and other stakeholders, and informed by child care programs in cities and towns. countries all over the world.
The need for universal childcare services is significant, the statement said. With average annual costs between $10,000 and $20,000 for home and center care, respectively, the affordability crisis for parents has reached new heights. At the same time, child care providers, who are mostly women of color and immigrants, are among the lowest-paid 3% in New York City, and their employers are often forced to borrow to keep the facilities afloat.
The bill’s comprehensive plan, organized by Council members Jennifer Gutierrez and Kevin Riley, aims to ease the financial and logistical burden on families accessing child care, as well as support and grow the workforce. early childhood work.
How the law would work
The bill would provide free, high-quality and accessible childcare for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, expand hours and days of operation and include access to undocumented children. The bill would also strengthen the supplier pipeline, ensure pay equity and create opportunities for small business ownership, as well as building a healthier streetscape by creating a pathway for thousands of commercial spaces and vacant community spaces be converted into childcare facilities.
The bill, which was partially inspired by Council member Gutierrez’s own challenges with access to childcare, goes to the first majority-female Council, with the highest number of first-time mothers in the history of the legislative body. Universal child care has long been advocated by New York City mayors, comptrollers and other elected officials, but this is the first such legislation that also charts the course for its implementation. The Child Care and Early Education Blueprint, recently released by Mayor Eric Adams, estimated that the lack of universal child care results in an annual loss to New York City of $23 billion in economic output and $2.2 billion in tax revenue.
“With the introduction of this bill, we are completely rethinking the care economy in our city, redefining what it means to care for our children, our parents and families, our providers and educators, and ensuring that no one has to make those choices. not possible again. Universal Child Care will fundamentally change the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. We just can’t afford not to,” Councilwoman Jennifer Gutierrez said.
“Universal child care means expanding equitable, quality access to child care that supports all New York families in this city,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley.
The full invoice, Intro 941, is on Legistar and a sheet is attached.