Res. No. 719
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5533/A.492A, establishing the Child Care Workforce Pay Equity Fund
By Council Member Gutiérrez
Whereas, To achieve universal child care, New York City needs to invest in the child care workforce; and
Whereas, Children benefit from consistent, high-quality interactions with well-prepared, well-supported educators; and
Whereas, Staff turnover in early childhood education is extraordinarily high due in large part to low wages and minimal access to benefits; and
Whereas, Research has shown that high turnover can cause young children to experience anxiety and stress because they cannot bond with their caregivers, which can interfere with children’s social-emotional development, including self-regulation; and
Whereas, The early childhood education workforce identifies as 94% women, and majority people of color, and 96% of all jobs in New York State pay a higher average wage than early childhood educators receive; and
Whereas, Child care workers’ median annual wage in New York State is approximately $33,000, and family-based providers earn even less, with an average of $10.50 an hour, or $22,000 per year; and
Whereas, Even though New York City and the State are investing in expanding the child care system, early childhood educator wages have not yet been addressed; and
Whereas, Under the expanded system, not every family will immediately have access to public options and private sector center- and home-based programs will continue to play a critical role in providing child care to New York families; and
Whereas, Addressing low wages and wage disparities in New York City’s complex system of private and public child care programs are critical for building a sustainable child care system that can meet the increased demand that an expanded child care system will likely create; and
Whereas, With the intent of increasing early childhood educator wages, Assembly Member Hevesi introduced A.492A in the New York State Assembly, and State Senator Jabari Brisport introduced companion bill S. 5533 in the New York State Senate; and
Whereas, The bill would appropriate $1.2 billion to the Child Care Workforce Pay Equity Fund, which would enable the State to provide an estimated flat wage subsidy of $12,500 to all child care staff and providers; and
Whereas, Without a well-supported, reliable, and sustainable workforce, New York City’s goal of moving toward a universal child care system will remain out of reach; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5533/A.492A, establishing the Child Care Workforce Pay Equity Fund.
KS
LS 26131
10/27/2026