Last spring, when the Adams administration pushed for deep cuts to the Department of Education’s burgeoning 3-K and pre-K programs, we fought back with the UFT’s #StartStrong campaign. Our members joined with parents to speak out and rally in protest. Our email campaign generated more than 44,000 emails to the mayor, the schools chancellor and members of the citywide Panel for Educational Policy.

We got results: The city budget, which was passed in early July, restored a portion of early childhood education funding, including money for additional seats for children with disabilities, more year-round free or low-cost child care spots for eligible families, and 3-K and pre-K seats for 1,700 children who had been waitlisted.

But our #StartStrong campaign continues. The city and the DOE must do more to put our city’s youngsters on the path to educational success: Seats must be available to all children wherever families need them; students with disabilities must have the seats and services they need; the enrollment process must be made easier; and community-based providers must be paid in a timely manner.

The DOE’s deputy chancellor of early childhood education for the past two and a half years resigned in July. A new deputy chancellor provides the chance for a fresh start.

We can’t lose ground on these early childhood programs that are critical building blocks for our children’s futures. Everybody must have the opportunity to #StartStrong.