In an effort to make New York City more affordable for working families, mayoral candidate Brad Lander on March 21 unveiled a plan for free child care and afterschool programs from toddlerhood through middle school.
The proposal aims to establish universal 2-K, expand 3-K and Pre-K, and provide year-round afterschool options for all public school students in kindergarten through 8th grade, according to a press release.
“I know that the lack of affordable child care and afterschool options are some of the most pressing affordability issues for working families," Lander said. “We must ensure that New Yorkers who want to raise their children here can afford to do so. Providing free, high quality child care and afterschool programming will solve a huge piece of the equation.”
The plan also seeks to support the city's over 30,000 child care workers, the majority of whom are women of color, with increased wages.
Beyond child care, Lander aims to enhance afterschool programs for approximately 230,000 students, extend Summer Rising programs to 140,000 children through 6:00pm and provide summer job opportunities for 160,000 youth aged 14-24.
Lander said increased access to child care would add nearly $2 billion in disposable family income and generate $900 million in productivity gains for employers through reduced turnover and a more stable workforce.
