New York City's Family Child Care Providers Cry Out for Fair Pay as Mayor Promises Universal Care for 2-Year-Olds
As New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani prepares to expand child care services to all families, the tiny providers that serve some of the city's most vulnerable children are facing a daunting reality: their wages are too low to survive.
With more than 90% of home-based providers being women of color, who already earn just $6 an hour after paying minimum wage and covering expenses, raising their wages will be a tough sell. However, advocates argue that if the city wants to deliver on its promise of universal care for all families, it must also address the financial struggles faced by these essential childcare workers.
"The backbone of NYC child care," according to Shannan Ramsay, owner of Step With Purpose day care in East New York, who has welcomed generations of children into her home since 2005. She hires adults she used to take care of as infants and provides flexible hours that allow families to work later or longer shifts.
However, with enrollments low due to the pandemic and increasing costs, Ramsay is struggling to stay afloat. "I have been living off loans," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "There's absolutely no way we can get to universal child care if we do not invest in the workforce."
The city's own data paints a grim picture: nearly 6,500 home-based providers remain open out of approximately 10,000 licensed childcare programs across the five boroughs. But nearly half of these providers do not pay themselves a set wage, with median owner wages ranging from $6 to $18 per hour, depending on enrollment levels.
The City's proposed solution, which includes a $500 million investment over two years, has yet to address the critical issue of worker wages. Mayor Mamdani has vowed to deliver "a living wage" for all childcare workers, but details remain scarce.
"We will continue to assess the rate structure and operational support needed to ensure providers can participate fully," said Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the mayor. However, with advocates calling for increased funding and more concrete solutions, the stakes are high.
As the city hurtles towards its promise of universal child care, one thing is clear: fair pay for childcare workers must be at the forefront of any discussion on affordability and access to early childhood education. If not, the very providers who serve some of the most vulnerable families in the city may continue to struggle – leaving thousands of children without the care they need.
As New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani prepares to expand child care services to all families, the tiny providers that serve some of the city's most vulnerable children are facing a daunting reality: their wages are too low to survive.
With more than 90% of home-based providers being women of color, who already earn just $6 an hour after paying minimum wage and covering expenses, raising their wages will be a tough sell. However, advocates argue that if the city wants to deliver on its promise of universal care for all families, it must also address the financial struggles faced by these essential childcare workers.
"The backbone of NYC child care," according to Shannan Ramsay, owner of Step With Purpose day care in East New York, who has welcomed generations of children into her home since 2005. She hires adults she used to take care of as infants and provides flexible hours that allow families to work later or longer shifts.
However, with enrollments low due to the pandemic and increasing costs, Ramsay is struggling to stay afloat. "I have been living off loans," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "There's absolutely no way we can get to universal child care if we do not invest in the workforce."
The city's own data paints a grim picture: nearly 6,500 home-based providers remain open out of approximately 10,000 licensed childcare programs across the five boroughs. But nearly half of these providers do not pay themselves a set wage, with median owner wages ranging from $6 to $18 per hour, depending on enrollment levels.
The City's proposed solution, which includes a $500 million investment over two years, has yet to address the critical issue of worker wages. Mayor Mamdani has vowed to deliver "a living wage" for all childcare workers, but details remain scarce.
"We will continue to assess the rate structure and operational support needed to ensure providers can participate fully," said Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the mayor. However, with advocates calling for increased funding and more concrete solutions, the stakes are high.
As the city hurtles towards its promise of universal child care, one thing is clear: fair pay for childcare workers must be at the forefront of any discussion on affordability and access to early childhood education. If not, the very providers who serve some of the most vulnerable families in the city may continue to struggle – leaving thousands of children without the care they need.
. These childcare providers are literally working their hearts out for peanuts 
. I mean, come on, $6 an hour? That's not even enough to cover expenses, let alone pay them a decent wage 
.
? It's like they're putting all their eggs in one basket and hoping everything works out magically 
. Newsflash: it doesn't work that way 
. These providers need a real solution, not just some vague promises of "a living wage" 
. But at the same time, I'm worried about the long-term sustainability of this whole thing 
. If we're not careful, we might just end up stranding another generation of kids without the care they need 
.
. But in this case, I think it's more about putting a price on dignity and respect 
. These childcare providers deserve so much better than what they're getting right now 
.
. I mean, can't we just pay these people a decent wage already? $6 an hour after paying minimum wage and covering expenses? That's like getting paid £2 an hour after all the bills are taken out 
. How much more can they afford with a decent wage? And what about benefits or sick pay? That $500m investment doesn't seem like enough 
.
they're literally struggling to make ends meet just $6 an hour is insane 
like, how do you even plan on doing that? it's gotta be tough to raise wages when there's so much financial strain already 
my heart goes out to Shannan Ramsay and her team, they're literally the backbone of NYC's childcare system... 
. And what about benefits? You'd think the city would be willing to toss some their way 
. Without fair pay and decent working conditions, how are these providers supposed to keep up with the demand for childcare? It's a vicious cycle that'll leave thousands of kids without care if we don't get this sorted out ASAP 
i've got news for ya, these providers have been holding it down for years and this is the thanks they get? it's all about fairness and making sure we don't lose some of our most essential community members 
.
. If not, I'm worried that thousands of little kids will end up without the care they deserve 
.
. It's like the city thinks these people are doing it out of love and kindness 
, but honestly, most people would be struggling to make ends meet on that kind of pay 
. And now we want to expand child care services but can't even get the workers paid a decent wage? It just doesn't add up 
.
.