Res. No. 358
Title
Resolution calling upon the City of New York to eliminate the disparity in compensation paid to teachers, staff and directors at community-based EarlyLearn NYC centers, as compared to the compensation paid to Department of Education instructors for similar employment.
Body
By Council Members Cumbo, Treyger and Levin
Whereas, According to the Center for Public Education ("CPE"), an initiative of the National School Boards Association, a large and growing body of research shows that investing in high-quality early childhood education yields benefits for children, schools and communities; and
Whereas, The CPE describes the short and long-term benefits of high-quality Pre-K programs, as well as the potential cost savings and benefits to communities, with the long-term cost benefits of such programs ranging from an estimated $2 to $4 for every dollar spent; and
Whereas, As discussed in a November 2015 report by the Office of Public Advocate Letitia James, entitled "Policy Report: Child Care in New York City, Part II, Investing in Child Care" (PA Report), "the research on the relationship of child care to labor force outcomes is clear: affordable and quality care is positively linked to economic and social mobility"; and
Whereas, The PA Report further informs us that "the cost of child care in New York City is increasing by an average of $1,612 each year [and] the average family spends $16,250 per year for an infant, $11,648 for a toddler and $9,620 for a school-age child, making child care unaffordable for many low and middle income families"; and
Whereas, The City of New York provides free and subsidized early care and education to young children through the Administration for Children's Services' (ACS) EarlyLearn NYC programs, as well as through Department of Education (DOE) pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs; and
Whereas, EarlyLearn NYC includes center-based and home-based child care programs, which serve child...
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