A recent survey of approximately 4,300 New York City parents highlights significant preferences and challenges surrounding child care for families with young children, underscoring potential obstacles to expanding publicly funded care for infants and toddlers. The findings arrive amid city plans to offer free child care seats to every 2-year-old during Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first term, with aspirations to include children as young as six weeks in the future.
The study, conducted by New America and Robin Hood in partnership with city officials, reveals that over 60 percent of families with children under 2 would prefer care from a parent or relative rather than a formal child care center. Specifically, 69 percent of parents want a parent to provide care during a child’s first year, while only 13 percent favored relatives and a combined 11 percent chose centers, nannies, or family friends.
Cost remains a major concern for families, especially those with infants. Parents reported spending an average of $2,395 per month on child care for children under one year old, amounting to more than $28,000 annually. This figure declines substantially as children age, dropping below $1,000 per month for families with 4-year-olds. High costs are influencing work decisions; some parents report withdrawing from the workforce because child care expenses exceed their income.
The survey also found strong support for enhanced paid parental leave. Although New York State permits up to 12 weeks of paid leave at roughly two-thirds of usual pay, more than 40 percent of parents expressed a desire for six months or more if financial and job security constraints were removed. The report recommends strengthening paid leave policies, suggesting that such support could decrease demand for costly licensed care for infants.
The city’s approach to expanding free preschool for younger children reflects diverse preferences across neighborhoods. Wealthier areas, such as Williamsburg in Brooklyn, show a greater preference—around 52 percent—for center- or school-based care for 2-year-olds. In contrast, only 51 percent of parents in poorer boroughs like the Bronx favored these settings, indicating a stronger interest in home-based child care options, which tend to be more affordable and flexible.
Beyond cost and availability, trust emerged as the most critical factor for families when selecting a child care provider, cited by 47 percent of respondents as a top consideration. Convenience and affordability followed closely. Parents also prioritized care environments with qualified staff trained in early childhood education and opportunities for outdoor play.
City officials, including Emmys Liss, director of the city’s child care office, have indicated that the survey data will inform future child care policies to better align with family needs and preferences. Experts note that effective child care systems must build and maintain parental trust alongside expanding access.
The survey also touches on ongoing national debates concerning child care subsidies. The Trump administration’s move to allow subsidies for stay-at-home spouses has sparked discussion over whether government support should extend directly to parents who choose to provide home care rather than to increase formal child care slots. The report’s authors suggest that parental leave and direct financial support for family caregivers could complement free early childhood programs, providing a more comprehensive response to parental needs.