Child Care First

Solving NYC’s Affordability Crisis Starts Here

Child Care Isn’t Just a Parents Issue. It’s an Economic Imperative.

You can’t fix affordability in NYC without fixing child care.

In NYC, families pay more for child care than rent or college tuition — up to $40,000 a year.

When parents can’t work, employers lose talent, the city loses revenue, and communities lose stability.

New York City’s next mayor needs to have bold, practical solutions that deliver for working families.

$23B

lost by NYC in 2022 because parents left work or cut hours due to lack of child care*

80%

of families can’t afford care — even for one child**

54%

of kids under five years old can’t access licensed child care programs†

1/4

of NYC’s child care workforce live in poverty††

* Source | ** Source | † Source | †† Source

You Can’t Solve Affordability Without Solving Child Care

Child care is the most powerful and immediate lever to make New York City truly livable for working families and to unlock growth for our economy.

Housing and transportation are critical, but they mean little if families are spending more on child care than rent, or can’t get to work because they have no safe place to leave their child.

Child Care Costs Outpace Inflation

Child Care Costs Outpace Inflation

Childcare costs have grown nearly 80% for infants since 2019 — outpacing both inflation and wage growth.
Child Care Is the #1 Expense for Families

Child Care Is the #1 Expense for Families

In NYC, families spend up to $40K/year on infant care — more than rent, more than in-state college.
Families Are Leaving New York City

Families Are Leaving New York City

Families with young children are twice as likely to leave the city because of lack of affordable child care.

Every $1 invested in child care brings back $10–13 to the economy

SOLUTIONS

A Real Plan for the First 100 Days

NYC showed the nation what’s possible with universal Pre-K and 3-K. The next chapter of child care should include expanding access for younger kids, supporting our care workforce, and building a universal system that reaches all families — not just the lucky few. Here’s how the next mayor can deliver a tangible win for families — fast:
1
Invest $300 million to expand care for 2-year-olds across all five boroughs in the first 100 days
2
Create 12,000 new seats — providing child care for 20% of eligible 2-year-olds
3
Ensure care is available in both centers and home-based settings
4
Pay child care workers fairly
REQUEST A BRIEFING

Make child care your top issue — not just in speeches, but in action.

We’re briefing campaign teams and city leaders now.
Let’s talk about how your candidate can lead on child care.

Contact: press@momsfirst.us