New York City led the nation when Mayor Bill de Blasio established free, full-day pre-kindergarten a decade ago and expanded it several years later to add 3-K, guaranteeing that the city’s youngest students receive the boost in language, literacy and socialization they need for success in school and life. These ground-breaking programs, which the union fought for years to secure, also have enabled families, especially women, to reenter the workforce because they have access to free care that is stable and safe.

Sadly, Mayor Eric Adams is letting the city’s early childhood education programs wither. His administration cut 3-K and pre-K programs by $283 million in the 2023–24 fiscal year, and they face an additional $360 million reduction in 2024–25, according to a February 2024 report from the Independent Budget Office. These cuts are unacceptable for a program that is vital to our city’s future.

The Adams administration justifies its deep cuts on the grounds that too many preschool seats are empty. But while some neighborhoods have empty seats, others have long waitlists for 3-K and pre-K spots. The Department of Education should step up its marketing to reach more families with small children in areas where there is capacity. Preschool programs must also be nimble. The de Blasio administration figured out how to shift seats to where the demand is, but the Adams administration either can’t figure it out or doesn’t want to.

As the City Council and the mayor negotiate next year’s city budget, we must fight to save the city’s valuable 3-K and prekindergarten programs. Budgeting is about setting priorities and demonstrating your values. The mayor must make the city’s youngest learners a priority — because if you start strong, you set children up for lifelong success.