Why child care is so expensive in NYC that it’s become a crisis
Why child care is so expensive in NYC that it's become a crisis Gothamist
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The New York City Council Urges Reversal of Budget Cuts to Early Childhood Education
Introduction
The New York City Council is calling on the Adams administration to reverse $1 billion in planned budget cuts, including $170 million in funding for early childhood education. Lawmakers argue that these cuts will worsen the city’s child care crisis and drive more middle-class families out of the city.
Child care is already unaffordable for 80% of New York City families, according to experts. The high cost of child care, coupled with rising housing and food prices, is putting a strain on families.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The Cost of Child Care in New York City
- Child care costs between $14,000 and $20,000 per year for families in the 80th percentile.
- A family earning $86,000 could spend a quarter of their salary on care for an infant or toddler.
- About a quarter of child care workers live in poverty.
Child care experts argue that the current pricing of child care does not reflect its true cost. Both parents and providers struggle to afford the market rate, highlighting the need for public investment in child care.
Types of Child Care Programs
- Center-based child care programs operate out of commercial spaces.
- Home-based or group-family care programs are run out of private residences.
- Home-based programs are generally less expensive than center-based care.
Price Differences by Neighborhood
Child care providers can only charge what their community can afford. Lower- and middle-income neighborhoods often struggle to cover the operating costs of child care businesses. This disparity in affordability affects families in Brooklyn and the Bronx the most.
The Costly Budget Item for Child Care Providers
The biggest expense for child care providers is staffing. Salaries and fringe benefits make up about 80% of their budget. Home-based providers also struggle to pay for an assistant, leaving little left for their own earnings.
Child Care Affordability in New York City
New York City’s high cost of living exacerbates the issue of child care affordability. Rising real estate prices and rents make it difficult for providers to sustain their businesses. Child care workers often leave the industry for more sustainable jobs with better benefits.
The Impact on Staffing Levels
The child care sector faces a staffing shortage and retention issue. Pay parity is a challenge, as center-based providers compete with the Department of Education’s 3-K and pre-K programs. Child care workers, who are predominantly women and women of color, often earn low incomes and rely on public benefits.
The Role of Child Care Providers
Child care providers take on various responsibilities, including teaching, providing meals, and assisting with daily tasks. They play a crucial role in preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.
Subsidy Programs and Their Limitations
Vouchers are available to families who cannot afford child care. However, reimbursement rates do not cover the full cost of care, leaving providers to bear the financial burden. Child care experts argue for a move towards universal child care to address these challenges.
Solutions to the Child Care Affordability Crisis
Child care experts emphasize the need for public investment and a shift towards universal child care. The City Council has passed a bill to create an advisory board that will work towards achieving universal child care within five years.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the name of the chief operating officer for Grand Street Settlement. It’s Willing Chin-Ma.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
- SDG 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies.
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 4.2: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being.
- Indicator for SDG 5.4: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work.
- Indicator for SDG 8.5: Average hourly earnings of employees by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 11.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education. | Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies. | Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | Average hourly earnings of employees by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing. |
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Source: gothamist.com
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