Senator Montgomery submits comments on the emergency child care safety regulations proposed by Governor Cuomo

As a State Senator, a mother and an early childhood education professional, I prioritize the safety and wellbeing of children in my district and across the state. I have always and will continue to advocate for our youth who do not have lobbyists, who cannot participate in elections and who often do not have their interests represented in Albany. I understand and appreciate the Governor’s efforts to  ensure our children’s safety in child care facilities. Those who have been tasked with caring for our children of course need to be held to high standards. However these regulations are both overly punitive and lack the nuances necessary to make them effective.

I am concerned that these proposed regulations reflect a larger issue regarding the underfunding and devaluing of child care and those who provide these critical services. There is a clear disconnect between the significant contributions child care providers make to the communities they serve and the way child care is addressed in public policy. Day cares, especially in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, have traditionally provided safe spaces for our most vulnerable members of society. Providers have and continue to care for our children while being grossly underpaid, severely under resourced and even disrespected. We should not add criminal treatment to the list of challenges they already face and we must include their perspectives when making changes in law that directly impact them.  

Senator Velmanette Montgomery convened a series of meetings with child care advocates in Brooklyn and Albany to discuss the emergency child care safety regulations proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Representatives from A&E Carousel Day Care, Inc., Ann's Future Horizon, Bed-Stuy Kids (SBPNYC), Brooklyn Community Services,  Center for Children's Initiatives, Child Development Support Corp., Colony South Brooklyn Houses, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators (CSA), Daddy's Daycare, Day Care Council of NY, Emmanuel Daycare Kindergarten, Friends Of Crown Heights (FOCH), Hanover Place Childcare, Inner Force Tots, Ladybug Family, Legal Services NYC, Little Sun People, Inc., Nuestros Ninos DCC, SCO Family of Services, Sweet Dreams Group Day Care and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) attended these important discussions on the issues and challenges facing child care providers throughout New York City and New York State.

As a result of the feedback provided, Senator Montgomery submitted comments to the New York State Office of Children and Families and looks forward to working with her colleagues in the Senate and Assembly to develop a  legislative approach to this issue that is appropriate, involves practitioners and advocates, and supports improving the quality of child care throughout our state.

For learn more about the emergency regulations, visit http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/legal/Regulatory/er/