Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez proudly serves as the inaugural Chair of the City Council’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education — a new body created by Speaker Julie Menin to take a focused, systems-level look at how New York City supports families, providers, and the early childhood workforce.
This Subcommittee was established as a precursor to broader reforms aimed at building a truly universal, high-quality childcare system. Childcare in New York City is complex — spread across agencies, funding streams, regulatory structures, and workforce pipelines.
The Subcommittee’s role is to slow the system down, examine it piece by piece, and create space for stronger accountability, better coordination, and long-term solutions that center families and providers.
Chair Gutiérrez is committed to:
- Expanding access to affordable childcare
- Supporting and stabilizing providers
- Advancing pay parity and workforce development
- Improving transparency and agency coordination
- Lifting up the lived experiences of families and educators
Stay Connected
Sign up for our Early Childhood Newsletter to receive updates on hearings, legislation, and opportunities to engage:
Share a Provider Story
We want to highlight the incredible childcare providers serving our communities.
If there’s a provider who has made a difference in your family’s life, share their story with us. We may feature them in an upcoming spotlight series (with permission).
Log an Issue or Concern
If you are a provider experiencing challenges — including payment delays, licensing issues, background check delays, contract concerns, or other systemic barriers — you can submit information to our office.
Please note:
- The Subcommittee is an oversight body.
- We do not have additional staffing or direct administrative authority over agencies.
- Submitting information does not guarantee individual case resolution or a meeting.
However, the information you share helps inform hearings, legislative efforts, and oversight. When appropriate, we may share systemic concerns with relevant agencies or local Council Members to elevate patterns and push for accountability.
Your voice helps shape the future of childcare in New York City.