There is a vital need for quality childcare programs for infants and toddlers in New York City and there is an acute shortage of care for children under three. Only 19% of the children who need care outside their home can be accommodated in childcare centers and family childcare homes across the city that meets local and state regulatory standards. Parents struggle daily to provide reliable quality care options.2
Even for those centers with effective caregivers and a strong structure, a lack of resources can prove to be an impediment to the success of the program.
Within the world of childcare, there is a great disparity in the quality of care offered. Characteristics of high quality childcare include: a low student to teacher ratio, an engaging curriculum, well educated teachers that continue with professional development, and receive appropriate compensation for their work. Even for those centers with effective caregivers and a strong structure, a lack of resources can prove to be an impediment to the success of the program.
Often, centers in the areas of most need are those that have the least access to
funds; therefore, it is more challenging to attract and retain quality educators. This is the area where organizations, such as HMESF, and donors can play a role in altering the lives of those children most at risk. In addition to providing monetary and supply-based support, advocacy of these issues and need can help to change and shape the future early childhood educations policies.
Childcare programs for children aged 3 and under receive a negatively disproportionate share of the governmental funding in New York City. Although infants and toddlers represent 20% of the population of children under 14 in New York City, only 14% of the regulated care subsidized by the city agencies, Administration for Children’s Services and the Human Resources Administration, was for children under 3.3
The importance and relevance of these disparities in early childhood education is currently being highlighted by the U.S government. While this initiative is working towards addressing all of these pivotal issues on a national level, we at HMESF are working to hone in on improving the quality of early education closer to home.
