Charter Schools Left Out of New Child Care Expansion

New York City charter school educators are expressing concerns about being excluded from Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul’s planned massive expansion of universal child care.

This ambitious initiative, costing $4.5 billion, aims to provide universal child care for the city’s 2-year-olds and enhance preschool and 3K programs. However, it’s still awaiting final approval in the state budget.

Charter school advocates recently sent a letter to Hochul and Mamdani, arguing that the expansion won’t truly be “universal” if charter preschools continue to receive $20,000 less in funding per child compared to traditional public schools.

In the letter, advocates stated, “This is a direct disinvestment for the 1 in 6 public school families that rely on publicly funded options like charter schools. All public school children are entitled to equal treatment and funding, regardless of which public school they attend.”

To amplify their message, these advocates held a rally and town hall meeting, urging local and state officials to address funding disparities and make sure charter schools are fully integrated into early childhood education efforts.

The rally featured signs demanding equal treatment for charter students, such as “Do not discriminate against charter children” and “Treat my children equally.”

These events occur amid uncertainties for New York City’s charter schools, which are privately operated but publicly funded, serving about 150,000 students.

Mamdani’s past as a state legislator included opposition to the expansion of charter schools, raising questions about how they will fit into the broader initiative for universal child care, which is likely to include more early education options.

In their letter, advocates emphasized that charter schools represent half of the city’s highest-performing public schools, asserting that “zip codes do not and should not determine academic fate.”

Last year, the success rate among students at Success Academy Charter School—New York City’s largest charter—was nearly double that of traditional city schools.

“Imagine if they educated one in six 3- and 4-year-olds,” said Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy, during the rally. “What an incredible start to their educational journeys. We need to bridge that $20,000 gap to make it happen.”

Advocates highlighted that more than 80 percent of charter school students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with over 90 percent being children of color.

Solange Lopez, a parent from Zeta Charter School, shared her perspective during the meeting, emphasizing that charter schools provide opportunities that families like hers often cannot access. “For many families living on just one paycheck, child care is never affordable. Schools like Zeta can be a real game-changer,” she explained.

City officials stated that they intend to have discussions with the charter schools soon.

“As we work to expand universal child care, we’re dedicated to ensuring access for all New Yorkers, regardless of income,” Jenna Lyle, deputy spokeswoman for education and child care, remarked in a statement.

This commitment includes various types of programs, including home-based, center-based, and in-school options for 3- and 4-year-olds.

However, there seems to be some ambiguity regarding whether charter schools will receive the complete funding they need. Spokeswoman Emma Wallner mentioned that the governor will be negotiating with the Legislature in the upcoming weeks to determine the final budget.