Private daycares in Manhattan are planning to increase their prices by as much as 20%. The rise in tuition, as reported, is partly a reaction to the city’s expanding universal preschool initiative, which some are calling “destabilizing.”
One local daycare, Manhattan Schoolhouse, which caters to children from three months to five years, surprised families earlier this year by announcing that tuition would reach nearly $4,000 a month for their program running from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This marks a significant 20% rise from last year.
“This increase could amount to $16,000 before taxes, a sum that many families can’t really manage in a single year,” expressed one father, who preferred to remain anonymous to avoid backlash.
This tuition hike was revealed just a short while before Mayor Zoran Mamdani introduced his “2-K for All” initiative, furthering his commitment to offer free childcare for children from six weeks to five years old.
Critics—including teachers—have pointed out that while the city pushes for more universal childcare programs, it fails to address the salary inequities between public and private educators. Manhattan Schoolhouse is one of the private institutions contracted to operate K-12 through the city’s Department of Education.
Camila Faruqui, the co-founder and CEO of Manhattan Schoolhouse, stated that the city’s expansion of childcare services and higher salaries for educators have created a challenging environment for her business.
“Educators in the DOE earn significantly more, so we’re in a tough competition for talent,” she remarked, noting that the situation has led to losing many good teachers. “There’s been a wave of programs shutting down because they couldn’t withstand this pressure.”
She added, “We have to boost salaries for teachers, and… well, that expense has to fall somewhere.” These concerns echo what other early childhood education providers—both private and public—have voiced, as pointed out by City Council member Jennifer Gutierrez, who chairs the Early Childhood Education Subcommittee.
During a recent subcommittee session, it was emphasized that providers consistently express worries over the financial strain the system is under as it evolves.
In recent communications, it seems nearly 100 families protested the tuition hike, urging City Hall to engage with leaders at Manhattan Schoolhouse. Instead, the school sent out final rates in February, adjusting some families’ tuition by just $100.
Parents have voiced distress over lengthy wait times for daycare options, which makes it difficult to consider alternatives in a region rife with long waiting lists. “Daycare isn’t a luxury; it’s essential,” remarked one mother associated with Manhattan Schoolhouse, highlighting the lack of options available in the Upper East Side.
“They’re effectively ignoring the neighborhood’s needs because we don’t have many choices,” she added.
Another parent spoke out, commenting, “We’re talking $30,000 to $40,000 a year. It’s incredible for families. We can’t justify it, and it doesn’t enhance anything.”
Danielle Avisar, a mother participating in the Universal Child Care Program at Manhattan Schoolhouse, stated her costs exceed $30,000 yearly for after-school care alone, with an upcoming $300 increase next year.
“For working parents, it’s a reality you must face. Otherwise, you’ll need to hunt for a caretaker,” she said. “It’s unfortunate, but I truly hope New York doesn’t turn into just a rich person’s playground… it should also be workable for families trying to make it here every day.”
