What: Free Child Care for NYC’s 2 Year Olds

• Free Child Care for 2 year olds means NYC families are eligible as soon as their child turns two; just like Pre-K and 3-K.

• 2-Care must be free for all ~60,000 NYC 2 year olds and be a full-day and full-year of care.

• 2-Care should draw on existing licensed capacity and scale up in child care deserts.

Why 2-Care?

• Care for 2 year olds costs an average of $23,400 per year.

• Toddlers who are only eligible for means-tested care are currently underserved by subsidies. Only 20% of eligible toddlers in NYC receive child care subsidies.

• Care for 2s is unevenly distributed. Current 2s programs are mainly available to wealthy families, with growth focused in high-income areas, while working and middle-class communities face a decline in toddler child care options.

• We know how to do it! NYC already created Pre-K for All and Free 3-K . We have the knowledge and experience to take the next step, age down and help families stay in NYC!

Why Now?

• NYC families are at their breaking point. We are losing young families and would-be families to other states and we cannot wait for the state or federal government to act.

• We can’t afford not to do this. State-wide we are collectively spending $14 billion a year on child care costs. In 2022, NYC’s economy lost $23 billion as parents left the workforce, or the state entirely, due to child care costs .

How Much Will 2-Care Cost?

• $1.3 Billion at scale - This assumes a 60% utilization rate and follows all health and safety ratios required for 2 year old programming.

• Care provided at a sustainable wage. Paying fair wages is an essential piece of 2-Care.

WE’RE GETTING ORGANIZED

Parents and providers across the city are getting organized to win 2-Care - free child call for ALL 2 year olds in New York.