NYC expands early childhood access, saves five centers from closure

Mayor Eric Adams and Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos are ramping up efforts to ensure more families enroll in early childhood education programs while securing a tentative agreement to keep five community-based education centers open despite lease challenges.

As part of a $100 million initiative with the City Council, the administration is investing $5 million in targeted outreach to historically underserved communities. Meanwhile, expiring leases threatened five early childhood centers, but after negotiations with landlords and providers, all five will remain operational and are now listed on MySchools for enrollment.

“For too long, families have faced challenges accessing early education programs due to mismatched seats and gaps in funding,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is doing the work of developing a sustainable early childhood education system that meets the needs of New York City families, especially working-class parents.”

The five centers—located in Queens and Brooklyn—serve hundreds of children, and their preservation is seen as a crucial win for families. The administration is also enhancing enrollment efforts through direct outreach, application assistance events in all five boroughs, and partnerships with community organizations.

City officials report record early childhood education enrollment, with 150,000 children currently in the system. Additionally, the cost of subsidized child care has dropped from $55 per week in 2022 to just $5 today.

New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph called the lease agreements a “critical step forward,” while Councilmember Crystal Hudson emphasized the need for long-term solutions, stating, “We must continue to support existing child care centers so our city can live up to its promise to provide high-quality early childhood education for all who need it.”

As the city expands access and sustains key programs, officials say they remain committed to ensuring no family is left behind in the push for universal early childhood education.