Day Care Families Speak Out
Negotiations with the city concerning CSA's Day Care contract have come to a grinding halt. CSA has charged that the city has failed to negotiate in good faith during the past 3 1/2 years and the union has filed a complaint with the state Employment Relations Board. Meanwhile, the city's assault on Day Care Centers continues with the recent announcement that 16 more Centers will close by June. What's lost in the conversation about lost leases and budgetary considerations is the effect these closings will have on families around NYC.
CSA visited a number of Day Care Centers around the City and spoke with parents who depend upon these early childhood education facilities to take care of their children and prepare them for their future school careers. We'll be running their stories on this page, so check back to meet different families.
Better Community Life Day Care Center II –– Queens
Parent: Zhi Ren Wang
Occupation: Independent Retailer
Child: Jeffrey Wang, age 4
Day Care Director: Cecilia Abrilla
Many immigrant families rely heavily on the services provided by centers like Better Community Life. In addition to equipping children with the basics of early education, they also serve as a platform for families who are new to the country, to provide a better future for their children. Zhi Ren Wang, a young father of two, who recently emigrated from China, has been taking his 4-year old son, Jeffrey Wang to Better Community Life for approximately one year. Working odd jobs in the city to make ends meet, Zhi Ren admits that his family could not afford private child care. “It’s too expensive,” said Mr. Wang
Citizens Day Care Center IV –– Manhattan
Parent: Sharon Rodriguez
Occupation: Stay at home Mom
Child: Jordan Rodriguez, age 3
Day Care Director: Dannie Linder
A car accident left single mom Sharron Rodriguez unable to take her 3-year old son Jordan to Citizens Day Care Center IV in Harlem for three months. “His learning went completely into a halt,” she said. At home, Ms. Rodriguez taught her son simple concepts, but she recognized how important a classroom setting is. Jordan has since returned to the center but budget cuts now threaten his participation at day care. Ms. Rodriguez is afraid she will not have many choices left. “Babysitters are about $150 per week. (It is) not in the price range right now, especially with the recession going on,” she said.
Williamsbridge NAACP Early Childhood Education Center - Bronx
Parent: Meiaka Ruff
Occupation: Early Childhood Teacher
Child: Kaela Murray, age 4
Day Care Director: Cheryl DeWitt
Many working parents who send their children to city-funded day care cannot afford private child-care. Meiaka Ruff, a teacher at Williamsbridge NAACP Early Childhood Education Center in the Bronx, said she would have to pay $125 a week for a baby sitter. “It’s hard for me to be paying that much,” said Ms. Ruff. The only alternative would be to quit working so that one parent could stay home with the kids, which Ms. Ruff says would be economically difficult for her family. In addition, Ms. Ruff’s daughter, Kaela, attends the center in which she works. The center successfully prepared her older daughter for grade school; she now attends Bronx Charter School for Better Learning, and Ms. Ruff wants Kaela to have the same opportunity.
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