Five community-based early childhood education centers that were on the chopping block received a Valentine of sorts from NYC Mayor Eric Adams, in that on February 14 the City reached tentative agreements to negotiate their leases that were set to or near expiration. These centers are: All My Children Day Care and Nursery School in Queens; and four others located in Brooklyn: Fort Greene Council Young Minds Day Care, Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, Inc., Grand Street Settlement, and Nuestros Niños Day Care Center — which is in Williamsburg.
“We have heard the concerns of parents, community partners, and elected officials, which is why we have met with all five programs facing lease expirations and with the respective local elected officials to create a collective plan that will offer them the opportunity to operate for the upcoming school year. Although details are still being finalized, we are proud to announce that we are headed toward a positive outcome, and by working closely with all stakeholders we are confident all different parties will have an agreed-upon path forward to share in the coming days that benefits families,” said Adams.
Local elected officials (Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and NYC Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, Crystal Hudson, and Chi Ossé) signed a statement regarding this extension, “We’re glad our persistent calls for the DOE to negotiate in good faith and keep our child care centers open have finally been heard. Families and providers at these four child care centers can temporarily breathe a sigh of relief—for now. The potential one-year extension for these sites is a step forward, but it fails to address the DOE’s own missteps that created this crisis. It is baffling that we are even justifying the removal of 50-year institutions with strong enrollment when New Yorkers are demanding more access to high-quality child care, not less. Here in Brooklyn – we fight for our people, and we win for our people. But let’s be clear—these centers are not yet saved – this is just kicking the can down the road, and we will spend every second organizing and preparing for the bigger fight ahead because our families, providers, and child care workers deserve better.”
“We have made great strides! Nuestros Niños has been granted an extension until June 2026, and we are beyond grateful for your unwavering support. Thank you! However, the fight is not over. We hope you will continue to stand with us as we work to keep Nuestros Niños open—not just for the next 50 years, but for as long as the community needs it,” posted Nuestros Niños Executive Director Ingrid Chungata on Instagram.
The Greenline 