Issue Position: Comprehensive Universal Childcare

Issue Position

Here is an interesting fact: about 85% of the human brain is developed within the first 3 years of life. And here are sobering additional facts: only one third of children under the age of 6 in New York have childcare, and less than 20% of low-income families who are eligible for childcare subsidies are receiving them. Access to an early-learning environment sets up a child to reach their full potential -- and a lack of it can disadvantage a child for life.

Childcare often costs as much as college. Here in Tompkins and Cortland counties, families are struggling to find and pay for childcare and often must make painful choices. Families are forced to ask, "Can I pay for quality care, or do I settle for what I can afford? Can I even afford to work?" Federal and state subsidies for low income families are insufficient. For median-income families not eligible for subsidies, childcare costs an average of 24% of their household income. Infant care costs an average of $15,000 per year!

We have a critical shortage of all types of childcare, but especially affordable care. Currently in New York, childcare educators earn $12.38 an hour or $25,760 per year leading to high rates of poverty for providers and a shrinking childcare workforce. As a Tompkins County Legislator, I saw an opportunity to work with housing developers to build apartments that could be approved as family daycare homes, and to encourage more people to join the profession by providing facilities that meet state requirements. I spearheaded the "Planner/Developer" initiative to develop and fund the program for the Child Development Council of Central New York (CDCCNY), serving Tompkins and Cortland Counties, that has contributed significantly to creating new family day care slots and retaining those we have.

I also championed the "Retention Grants" administered by the CDCCNY which provided grants for family childcare providers of up to $500 towards quality improvement, including professional development, building and grounds, safety requirements, and educational materials for children.

These have been important local steps, but we must invest more in the future of our children and families. Recently the state's Regional Economic Development grants have funded new and expanded childcare facilities, with key support from our current Assemblywoman, Barbara Lifton. These grants are an excellent step in the right direction, but more is needed. We must:

Increase investment in early childcare programs.

Support the huge need for increased staffing and better wages for childcare workers in centers, as well as in home-based programs;

Continue to invest in new and expanded childcare centers and home-based programs.

Quality childcare is a generational investment in our current and future workforce, our economy, and our quality of life. It increases educational attainment, enhances consistent participation in the workforce, increases social and economic productivity, and decreases generational poverty. Yes, quality early childhood education is expensive, but we pay a far higher cost by ignoring its value to families and society.

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