Opinion: Universal Child Care Must Work for the Providers Who Make It Possible

Feb 17, 2026

Two teachers demonstrate how to raise their hands and wave to their young students, some of whom follow along.

New York City is once again daring to lead as Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a proposal to increase funding and take a major step towards implementing Universal Child Care. With this initiative, we have a once in a generation opportunity to change the lives of working families.
Care for children from 6 weeks to age 2 is complex, workforce intensive, and costly to deliver. If universal child care is going to become a reality, it must be built with, not merely for, the providers who already carry the system. To ensure it is sustainable, equitable, and grounded in operational reality, we must include family child care providers, community based nonprofit organizations, and long standing neighborhood institutions that have served working families for decades.

Read the full piece at CityLimits

Rita Joseph represents Brooklyn’s District 40 in the New York City Council and serves as chair of the Council’s Committee on Higher Education. Robert Cordero is chief executive officer of Grand Street Settlement, one of New York City’s largest community based early childhood and family service organizations.

New York City is once again daring to lead as Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a proposal to increase funding and take a major step towards implementing Universal Child Care. With this initiative, we have a once in a generation opportunity to change the lives of working families.
Care for children from 6 weeks to age 2 is complex, workforce intensive, and costly to deliver. If universal child care is going to become a reality, it must be built with, not merely for, the providers who already carry the system. To ensure it is sustainable, equitable, and grounded in operational reality, we must include family child care providers, community based nonprofit organizations, and long standing neighborhood institutions that have served working families for decades.

Read the full piece at CityLimits

New York City is once again daring to lead as Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a proposal to increase funding and take a major step towards implementing Universal Child Care. With this initiative, we have a once in a generation opportunity to change the lives of working families.
Care for children from 6 weeks to age 2 is complex, workforce intensive, and costly to deliver. If universal child care is going to become a reality, it must be built with, not merely for, the providers who already carry the system. To ensure it is sustainable, equitable, and grounded in operational reality, we must include family child care providers, community based nonprofit organizations, and long standing neighborhood institutions that have served working families for decades.

Read the full piece at CityLimits