“Enough is Enough”: Educators and MWBE Childcare Owners Demand Justice at City Hall

NEW YORK, NY — The steps of City Hall were transformed into a sea of protest as the New York City Early Education Centers (NYCEEC) and Early Childhood Educators United gathered for a massive rally. Under the banner of “Enough is Enough,” educators, providers, and advocates sent a clear message to the City administration: Fix the broken system before you expand it.

In a poignant reminder of what is at stake, the rally wasn’t just attended by adults. Preschoolers and young children joined their teachers and parents on the steps, some holding hand-painted signs, others simply standing as a silent testament to the lives impacted by the city’s current funding crisis. Their presence underscored the rally’s central theme: you cannot support the child while starving the provider.

The Core Demands: Stability, Parity, and Respect

The rally, occurring amidst the Mamdani administration’s push to launch “2-K” and expand childcare to two-year-olds, highlighted a deepening crisis. While the city promises “universal” access, those on the front lines—predominantly women-led small businesses and MWBEs—argue that the current foundation is crumbling.

The educators presented a detailed list of grievances, including:

• Ending High-Turnover: Protesters called for an end to “poaching” staff from community-based providers. They demanded pay parity and access to the same health and pension plans enjoyed by DOE employees.
• Financial Accountability: Providers cited instances where contracts are signed, yet payments are delayed for 6 to 18 months, forcing small vendors to survive on credit cards and second mortgages.
• The 7-Year Stagnation: Educators pointed out they have gone over seven years without a Cost-of-Living Increase (COLA). “It’s illogical and not respectful of the lives we live,” the collective stated.
• Saving MWBEs: There is a growing fear that current policies are driving neighborhood-based MWBE childcares out of business in favor of national conglomerates.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

The rally also addressed the “Glass Ceiling” in childcare. Advocates proposed Alternative Credentialing Options, such as allowing the “Education Director” title to be attained through five years of experience plus specific OCFS training, acknowledging the expertise of veteran educators who have spent decades in the classroom.

A Call for Special Needs Support

“Stop abandoning special needs children in our care,” was a rallying cry heard throughout the afternoon. The group demanded that assessments be completed within 30 days and that speech therapists and paraprofessionals be paid a living wage to ensure every child—especially those present at today’s rally—receives the support they deserve.

The Bottom Line

As the rally concluded, the sentiment was clear: New York cannot claim to care for its children if it does not respect the people who provide that care. For Heru Vision Consulting and our clients in the community-based sector, this isn’t just a policy debate—it’s a fight for the survival of the essential businesses that anchor our neighborhoods.

Resources for Further Research:

The State of Early Childhood Education Wages (The New School Report)

NYC Council Framework for Universal Childcare

NY State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Eligibility