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Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.

New York City Council

Committee on Education

Feb 20, 2025

·

10:00 AM

3 hr 9 min

Summary

A hearing on early childhood care center closures in New York City, focusing on the Department of Education's decision to initially close five centers and subsequent one-year extensions.

Discussions covered:

  • Transparency issues
  • Enrollment data discrepancies
  • Lease negotiations
  • Payment delays
  • The overall stability of the early childhood education system

Features testimony from the Department of Education (DOE), School Construction Authority (SCA), affected providers, and the public.

Meeting chapters

Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.

REMARKS

Council Member Rita Joseph's opening remarks on early childhood care center closures

Council Member Rita Joseph opens the hearing on early childhood care center closures, outlining recent events where five centers were initially slated for closure but later granted one-year extensions. She …

0:00:31

·

4 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director of Nuestros Niños, on Early Childhood Center Closures

Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director of Nuestros Niños, testifies against the decision to close her early childhood education center in Williamsburg. She argues that the closure is unjustified, based on …

0:06:38

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4 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Stephanie Garcia, Mother and New York City Resident

Stephanie Garcia, a mother and lifelong New Yorker, testifies about the importance of community-based early childhood education centers, particularly Nuestros Niños, which faces closure. She criticizes the Department of Education …

0:11:07

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4 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Aaron Sanders, Deputy Director of Government Relations at Grand Street Settlement

Aaron Sanders from Grand Street Settlement testifies about the pending closure of Bushwick Child and Family Center, urging the NYC Department of Education to extend their lease or find an …

0:15:56

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3 min

Q&A

Challenges with invoice submission and budget registration for early childhood centers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about difficulties in submitting invoices and getting budgets approved. Representatives from early childhood centers reveal significant delays in budget registration and invoice submission, with one …

0:19:58

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64 sec

Q&A

Communication process regarding early childhood center closures

Council Member Rita Joseph questions the representatives about how they first learned of the potential closures of their early childhood centers. The discussion reveals a lack of direct communication from …

0:21:11

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46 sec

Q&A

Reasoning for center closures and lack of future planning

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the reasons given for closing the early childhood centers and whether any future plans have been communicated. The representatives share the limited information they've …

0:21:57

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45 sec

Q&A

Impact on families and unique services provided by early childhood centers

Council Member Rita Joseph explores the impact of potential closures on families and the unique services provided by the early childhood centers. The discussion highlights the specialized nature of these …

0:22:25

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68 sec

Q&A

Ongoing negotiations and improved communication with the Department of Education

The representatives discuss ongoing negotiations with the Department of Education and recent improvements in communication. They express gratitude for the increased engagement while acknowledging that earlier communication could have prevented …

0:23:46

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173 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Rita Joseph emphasizes commitment to early childhood education

Council Member Rita Joseph concludes the session by emphasizing the City Council's strong commitment to early childhood education and its importance for New York City's future. - The council is …

0:26:39

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108 sec

Q&A

Impact of budget cuts on early childhood education in NYC

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and Ingrid Matias Chungata discuss the potential consequences of budget cuts on early childhood education in New York City. They emphasize the critical role of early …

0:28:28

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110 sec

Q&A

Financial struggles faced by early childhood centers

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and Ingrid Matias Chungata discuss the severe financial challenges faced by early childhood centers due to delayed payments and budget issues. The conversation reveals the personal …

0:30:18

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162 sec

REMARKS

Importance of early childhood education for future success

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse emphasizes the critical importance of early childhood education for the future of New York City. She highlights how investing in early childhood education is a game-changer …

0:33:00

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39 sec

REMARKS

Personal experiences highlighting benefits of early childhood programs

Stephanie Garcia shares her personal experiences with early childhood education, both as a parent and as a former participant. Her testimony highlights the significant benefits of these programs for children's …

0:33:38

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168 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Introduction and personal background of Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins

Simone Hawkins, Deputy Chancellor for Early Childhood Education at NYC Public Schools, introduces herself and provides her personal background. She emphasizes her firsthand experience with the early childhood education system …

0:38:04

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75 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Overview of NYC's early childhood education system

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins provides an overview of New York City's early childhood education system, emphasizing its size, diversity, and commitment to meeting community needs. - NYC's system must serve a …

0:39:20

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45 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Recent accomplishments and initiatives in early childhood education

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins highlights recent accomplishments and ongoing initiatives in NYC's early childhood education system, showcasing growth and collaboration efforts. - Offer acceptances have grown from 9,500 in 2019 to …

0:40:06

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78 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Challenges in the current early childhood education system

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins addresses the limitations and challenges faced by the current early childhood education system in New York City. - The system needs to evolve to better meet current …

0:41:24

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30 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Capacity and resource allocation issues in early childhood education

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins outlines the capacity and resource allocation challenges facing NYC's early childhood education system, highlighting misalignment between available seats and demand. - 30,000 seats currently sit vacant across …

0:41:54

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32 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Property management and lease challenges in early childhood education

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins describes the property management and lease challenges faced by NYC's early childhood education system, highlighting inefficiencies and financial burdens. - Many properties were transitioned from the Administration …

0:42:27

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54 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Contract mechanism issues in early childhood education

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins outlines the challenges with current contract mechanisms in NYC's early childhood education system, highlighting inefficiencies in resource allocation. - Current contract mechanisms don't support or incentivize optimizing …

0:43:23

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36 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Future challenges and funding concerns in early childhood education

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins addresses upcoming challenges and funding concerns for NYC's early childhood education system, emphasizing the need for difficult decisions and potential impacts of federal policy changes. - Recent …

0:44:00

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71 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Ongoing improvements and collaboration in early childhood education

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins outlines ongoing improvements and collaborative efforts in NYC's early childhood education system, emphasizing transparency, efficiency, and partnership. - Active work to realign resources where they are most …

0:45:12

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59 sec

REMARKS

Explanation of reasons for potential closure of five early childcare sites

Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the reasons behind the potential closure of five early childcare sites. She outlines the structure of the early childhood education system in NYC and the …

0:46:29

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131 sec

Q&A

Discussion on expiring leases and vacant sites

Council Member Rita Joseph requests a list of expiring leases and discusses a vacant site in her district. She expresses frustration with the lack of communication from NYC Public Schools …

0:48:41

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100 sec

Q&A

Addressing enrollment data discrepancies between DOE and providers

Council Member Rita Joseph and Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins discuss the discrepancies in enrollment data between the Department of Education and providers, particularly focusing on the case of Nuestros Niños. …

0:50:25

·

3 min

Q&A

Timeframe for enrollment data updates in the system

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the time it takes for enrollment data to be reflected in the DOE's system after providers input the information. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains …

0:53:50

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13 sec

Q&A

Discussion of Grand Street Settlement's potential closure

Council Member Rita Joseph questions why Grand Street Settlement is being considered for closure despite not meeting the criteria mentioned earlier. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the specific circumstances of …

0:54:03

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59 sec

Q&A

Impact of potential closures on staff and students

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of staff that would have been laid off and students impacted by the potential closures. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides detailed enrollment …

0:55:03

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106 sec

Q&A

Enrollment numbers for Nuestros Niños

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the specific enrollment numbers for Nuestros Niños, which has been operating since 1973. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides the requested information. - Nuestros Niños …

0:56:53

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41 sec

Q&A

Concerns about maintaining culturally appropriate services post-closure

Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about maintaining culturally appropriate services for the Latinx student population served by Nuestros Niños if the center closes after its contract expiration in June …

0:57:36

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65 sec

Q&A

Inquiry about bilingual programs at alternative sites

Council Member Rita Joseph specifically inquires about the availability of bilingual programs at the alternative sites mentioned for Nuestros Niños students. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins is unable to confirm this …

0:58:44

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15 sec

Q&A

Fort Greene Council's reimbursement delays

Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about a $500,000 reimbursement delay for Fort Greene Council dating back to 2020. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the process of contract registration, budget approval, …

0:59:09

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130 sec

Q&A

Causes of contract registration delays

Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about the reasons for contract registration delays. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains various factors that can cause these delays in the registration process. - Contract …

1:01:19

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39 sec

Q&A

Plans to prevent future payment delays

Council Member Crystal Hudson asks about plans to prevent future payment delays for providers. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins outlines several strategies the department is implementing to improve the process. - …

1:01:59

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68 sec

Q&A

Enrollment capacity requirements for early childhood education sites

Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about the 95% enrollment capacity requirement for early childhood education sites that were granted temporary one-year extensions. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins is unable to provide …

1:03:06

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55 sec

Q&A

Assistance with recruitment plans for nearly terminated sites

Council Member Crystal Hudson asks about the DOE's assistance in establishing recruitment plans for the five nearly terminated early childhood education sites. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the department's approach …

1:04:01

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92 sec

Q&A

Request for breakdown of ECE system capacity, enrollment, and vacancies

Council Member Rita Joseph requests a detailed breakdown of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) system's capacity, enrollment, and vacancies by seat type and age group. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins agrees …

1:05:46

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22 sec

Q&A

Clarification on programs included in ECE system capacity numbers

Council Member Rita Joseph seeks clarification on whether specific programs are included in the 140,000 capacity numbers for the Early Childhood Education system. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides information on …

1:06:08

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14 sec

Q&A

NYC Public Schools' approach to under-enrolled sites

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the New York City Public Schools' position on sites that are not meeting full enrollment standards. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the approach to …

1:06:22

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91 sec

Q&A

DOE actions following reversal of center closure decision

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the actions taken by the Department of Education after reversing their decision on center closures and reopening the application website. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins …

1:07:55

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96 sec

Q&A

Future assessments of private sites and improving communication

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about future assessments of private sites and improvements in communication. Director Cora Liu from the NYC School Construction Authority provides information on lease extensions and …

1:09:32

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69 sec

Q&A

Timeline of lease negotiations with landlords

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the timeline of conversations with landlords regarding expiring leases, with a focus on specific sites including Nuestros Niños. Director Cora Liu from the NYC …

1:10:41

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83 sec

Q&A

Process for modifying contracts and seat configurations

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the ease and timeline of modifying contracts and seat configurations for early childhood education providers. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the complexities and considerations …

1:12:04

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106 sec

Q&A

Council Member Stevens raises concerns about empty sites and space optimization

Council Member Althea V. Stevens brings attention to the issue of empty sites in her district that the Department of Education (DOE) has been paying for. She emphasizes the need …

1:13:53

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29 sec

Q&A

Discussion on oversaturation concerns and recruitment efforts in early childhood education

Council Member Stevens addresses concerns about oversaturation in early childhood education districts and emphasizes the importance of effective recruitment efforts. She cautions against misinterpreting unfilled seats as a sign of …

1:14:22

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42 sec

Q&A

Comparison of ACS voucher program with three-k program and inter-agency coordination

Council Member Stevens inquires about the evaluation and comparison of the ACS voucher program with the three-k program. She emphasizes the need for inter-agency coordination and data analysis to improve …

1:15:06

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68 sec

Q&A

Data sharing and analysis between agencies for early childhood education programs

Council Member Stevens emphasizes the need for concrete data and analysis to compare different early childhood education programs, particularly between the ACS voucher program and the three-k program. She stresses …

1:16:14

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38 sec

REMARKS

Impact of Department of Health regulations on early childhood centers

Council Member Stevens raises concerns about the impact of Department of Health (DOH) regulations on early childhood education centers. She highlights how these regulations affect the opening, relocation, and daily …

1:16:52

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43 sec

Q&A

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins addresses agency coordination and early childhood education system challenges

Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins responds to Council Member Stevens' concerns about agency coordination and the challenges facing the early childhood education system. Hawkins acknowledges the need for improved coordination and …

1:17:35

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3 min

Q&A

Update on Highbridge Advisory Council closure and staff payments

Council Member Stevens inquires about the status of the Highbridge Advisory Council closure and the resolution of staff payment issues. Deputy Chancellor Hawkins provides an update on the actions taken …

1:20:42

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76 sec

Q&A

Measures to prevent future payment issues with early childhood education providers

Council Member Stevens inquires about measures implemented to prevent future payment issues similar to the Highbridge Advisory Council situation. Deputy Chancellor Hawkins outlines steps taken to mitigate such risks and …

1:21:59

·

106 sec

Q&A

Unpaid invoices for Fort Greene Council from 2020

Council Member Crystal Hudson inquires about over $500,000 in unpaid invoices for Fort Greene Council dating back to 2020. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains that the issue is related to …

1:23:45

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3 min

Q&A

Challenges with old payment systems for early childhood education providers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about providers still affected by old payment systems. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins acknowledges the issue but lacks specific data on affected providers. The discussion highlights …

1:27:04

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87 sec

Q&A

Staffing vacancies in DOE's early childhood education division

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about staffing vacancies in the Department of Education's early childhood education division. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides details on current openings and the process for …

1:28:31

·

67 sec

REMARKS

Councilmember Lee expresses frustration with nonprofit contracting processes

Councilmember Linda Lee opens the discussion by expressing her frustration with the complex and varied procurement and contracting processes that nonprofit organizations face when dealing with different city agencies. She …

1:29:40

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58 sec

Q&A

Discussion on DOE's use of different systems for contract management

Councilmember Lee inquires about the Department of Education's (DOE) contract management systems, revealing that DOE uses multiple platforms for different types of contracts. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains the current …

1:30:38

·

79 sec

Q&A

Challenges of managing multiple contracts across different systems

Councilmember Lee explores the challenges faced by organizations managing multiple contracts across different systems, emphasizing the burden this places on nonprofit providers. She questions the rationale behind separating contract management …

1:31:57

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55 sec

Q&A

Discussion on contract advance payments and their implications

Councilmember Lee and Deputy Chancellor Hawkins engage in a detailed discussion about contract advance payments, exploring current practices, potential increases, and associated challenges. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in …

1:32:53

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85 sec

Q&A

Addressing inflexible contracts and system evolution

Councilmember Lee and Deputy Chancellor Hawkins discuss strategies for addressing inflexible contracts and evolving the early childhood education system. They explore potential solutions within the constraints of existing agreements and …

1:34:18

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119 sec

Q&A

Discussion on federal funding cuts and their potential impact

Councilmember Lee and Deputy Chancellor Hawkins discuss the potential impact of federal funding cuts on early childhood education programs in New York City. They explore the extent of federal pass-through …

1:36:17

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91 sec

Q&A

Increase in early childhood education demand and applications

Council Member Krishnan questions Deputy Chancellor Hawkins about recent increases in early childhood education demand, citing statistics on three-k applications, childcare voucher usage, and special education seats. - 27% increase …

1:37:54

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109 sec

REMARKS

Concern about administration's approach to early childhood education

Council Member Krishnan expresses deep concern about the administration's approach to early childhood education, highlighting the disparity between growing demand and the mayor's statements about cuts and seat availability. - …

1:39:43

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128 sec

Q&A

Discussion of Nuestros Ninos daycare center's history and importance

Council Member Krishnan discusses the history and importance of Nuestros Ninos daycare center, highlighting its significance to the community and previous battles to keep it open. - Nuestros Ninos faced …

1:41:51

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81 sec

Q&A

Lease negotiations and closure plans for Nuestros Ninos

Council Member Krishnan questions DOE officials about the short notice given to Nuestros Ninos regarding planned closure and the current status of lease negotiations. - Nuestros Ninos was notified of …

1:43:12

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70 sec

REMARKS

DOE's perspective on managing multiple childcare centers

Deputy Chancellor Hawkins explains the DOE's approach to managing a large system of childcare centers, acknowledging communication issues and discussing the need for systemic management. - DOE manages nearly 4,000 …

1:44:22

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131 sec

Q&A

Lease terms and outstanding payments for Nuestros Ninos

Council Member Krishnan inquires about the specific lease terms being negotiated for Nuestros Ninos and any outstanding contract payments owed to the center. - DOE is negotiating to extend the …

1:46:34

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148 sec

REMARKS

Criticism of administration's approach to early childhood education closures

Council Member Krishnan delivers concluding remarks, strongly criticizing the administration's approach to early childhood education center closures and emphasizing the importance of these centers for the community. - Krishnan highlights …

1:49:02

·

62 sec

Q&A

Council Member Rita Joseph questions DOE on early childhood center closures and neighborhood assessments

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a heated discussion with Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins about the Department of Education's (DOE) approach to early childhood education center closures and neighborhood assessments. …

1:50:05

·

4 min

Q&A

Discussion on students awaiting early childhood education special seats

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif inquires about the number of students still awaiting early childhood education special seats. DOE representatives John Hammer and Simone Hawkins provide information on current numbers …

1:54:52

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108 sec

REMARKS

Council member's concerns about students with disabilities lacking access to special education seats

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif expresses her disappointment and concern about the situation of students with disabilities and developmental issues not receiving proper care and support. - Describes the situation …

1:56:40

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20 sec

Q&A

Discussion on delayed payments for early childhood education providers

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif raises concerns about delayed payments to early childhood education providers, citing specific examples and asking about plans to address these issues. - Mentions the case …

1:56:51

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81 sec

Q&A

DOE's new policies and processes to address payment issues for providers

Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins outlines the Department of Education's efforts to improve payment processes for early childhood education providers. - Acknowledges the need for improvement in payment processes and contract …

1:58:12

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145 sec

Q&A

Discussion on bridge loans for providers and communication issues

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif inquires about the bridge loan process for providers experiencing payment delays, highlighting communication gaps. - Questions why Ingrid from Nuestros Ninos wasn't aware of the …

2:00:39

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55 sec

Q&A

Inquiry into DOE early childhood education team size and capacity

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif questions Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins about the size and capacity of the Department of Education's early childhood education team. - Deputy Chancellor Hawkins reports a …

2:01:34

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41 sec

Q&A

Discussion on added three-k seats and their occupancy

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif inquires about the occupancy of newly added three-k seats and the challenges faced by families in securing nearby placements. - DOE added 1,503 three-k seats …

2:02:16

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43 sec

Q&A

Planning for upcoming school year three-k seats and equitable distribution

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif inquires about the Department of Education's plans for three-k seats in the upcoming school year and efforts to ensure equitable distribution. - DOE anticipates around …

2:03:00

·

69 sec

REMARKS

Council member's concluding remarks on improving three-k seat placements and accessibility

Council Member Shahana K. Hanif emphasizes the importance of improving three-k seat placements and accessibility for families. - Stresses the crucial need for improving placements - Highlights the importance of …

2:04:09

·

31 sec

Q&A

Decision to extend contracts for five early childhood care centers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the decision to extend contracts for five early childhood care centers until 2026. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains that the decision was made after …

2:04:57

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34 sec

Q&A

DOE's role in helping providers find suitable locations

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about DOE's potential role in helping providers find suitable locations if contracts expire. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins explains that DOE is not in the business …

2:05:31

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54 sec

Q&A

Lease agreement details for the affected centers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the lease agreements for the five affected early childhood care centers. Cora Liu from the School Construction Authority provides details on the lease extensions. …

2:06:26

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48 sec

Q&A

Number and status of center-based early childhood education contracts for FY '25

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number and status of center-based early childhood education contracts for FY '25. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides some information and promises to follow …

2:07:16

·

73 sec

Q&A

Ongoing challenges with early childhood education contract management and payments

Council Member Rita Joseph expresses frustration with ongoing challenges in early childhood education, particularly regarding delayed contracts and payments. She questions Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins about bridge loans and payment …

2:08:32

·

3 min

Q&A

Staffing issues in the DOE affecting contract processing

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about staffing issues in the Department of Education and their impact on contract processing. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides information on current processing times and …

2:12:00

·

74 sec

Q&A

Staffing requirements for processing payments efficiently

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the staffing requirements for efficient payment processing in the Department of Education. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins provides details on current staffing levels and ideal …

2:13:16

·

82 sec

Q&A

Responsibility for leases and potential future site closures

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about responsibility for leases under New York City Public Schools and potential future site closures. Cora Liu from the School Construction Authority provides brief responses. …

2:14:38

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35 sec

Q&A

Council Member Krishnan questions DOE about payment delays and contract registration for Nuestros Niños

Council Member Shekar Krishnan engages in a detailed discussion with Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins about payment issues and contract registration delays for Nuestros Niños, an early childhood education center. The …

2:15:14

·

3 min

Q&A

Funding and expansion of preschool special education seats

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about funding for additional preschool special education seats beyond the current 284 planned. John Hammer from the DOE explains that there is no current funding …

2:19:09

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44 sec

Q&A

Provision of related services for students awaiting special education seats

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about the provision of related services for students waiting to be seated in special education seats. John Hammer from the DOE confirms that they are …

2:19:54

·

38 sec

Q&A

Enrollment status of All My Children's toddler seats and district-wide utilization

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the enrollment status of All My Children's toddler seats and the overall utilization in the district. Simone Hawkins from NYC Public Schools provides information …

2:20:32

·

79 sec

Q&A

Improving communication with early childhood education providers

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses the importance of communication with early childhood education providers. Simone Hawkins from NYC Public Schools outlines improvements in communication practices and future plans. - Rita …

2:21:51

·

71 sec

Q&A

SCA's lease requirements and negotiation process for early childhood education sites

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the School Construction Authority's (SCA) lease requirements and negotiation process for early childhood education sites. Cora Liu from SCA provides details on their standard …

2:23:02

·

173 sec

Q&A

Protocol for finding new properties for community-based organizations

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the protocol for finding new properties for community-based organizations (CBOs) when lease conditions are unfavorable. Simone Hawkins from NYC Public Schools explains their approach, …

2:25:56

·

96 sec

Q&A

Lease negotiation process for school buildings

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the lease negotiation process for school buildings. Cora Liu from the School Construction Authority (SCA) explains their standard procedures for lease renewals and evaluations. …

2:27:32

·

47 sec

Q&A

Frequency and process of lease terminations due to landlord non-compliance

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the frequency and process of lease terminations due to landlord non-compliance. Cora Liu from the School Construction Authority (SCA) provides limited information on this …

2:28:20

·

43 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Antonio Reynoso, Borough President of Brooklyn, on Early Childhood Care Center Closures

Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, criticizes the Department of Education's decision to grant one-year extensions to early childhood care centers facing closure, arguing it's a political move to delay inevitable …

2:30:54

·

7 min

REMARKS

Council member emphasizes commitment to early childhood education

Council Member Rita Joseph reaffirms the city council's dedication to early childhood education, emphasizing its importance for working families and equity. She highlights the council's ongoing focus on this issue …

2:38:04

·

63 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Mabel Muniz Sarduy, Director of Political and External Affairs at Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA)

Mabel Muniz Sarduy, representing the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), expresses deep concerns over the sudden closures of early childhood centers in New York City. She criticizes the …

2:39:49

·

4 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Gregory Brender, Chief Policy and Innovation Officer of Day Care Council of New York

Gregory Brender from the Day Care Council of New York testifies about the destabilization of early childhood education programs, criticizing the lack of communication and fair processes from the city. …

2:44:26

·

3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Paula Inhargue, Policy Analyst at United Neighborhood Houses

Paula Inhargue, a policy analyst at United Neighborhood Houses, testifies on the recent decision to close childcare sites in NYC and its impact on early childhood education. She criticizes the …

2:47:54

·

3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sharon Brown, Member of the Public

Sharon Brown, a former early childhood care worker, shares her perspective on the city's decision not to renew some childcare program leases. She argues that these programs should be more …

2:51:16

·

3 min

Q&A

Questions about executive directors and pay parity

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of executive directors in early childhood education and the need for more. She also touches on the issue of pay parity. - …

2:54:21

·

37 sec

Q&A

Discussion on funding restoration and baselining

Council Member Rita Joseph and Gregory Brender discuss the need to restore $222 million in funding for early childhood education programs and the importance of baselining this funding. - Brender …

2:54:59

·

109 sec

Q&A

The rigorous process of opening early childhood care centers

Council Member Rita Joseph and Gregory Brender discuss the complex and rigorous process involved in opening early childhood care centers. - Brender explains the involvement of multiple city agencies in …

2:56:49

·

61 sec

Q&A

Addressing oversaturation and program flexibility in neighborhoods

Council Member Rita Joseph and Gregory Brender discuss strategies to address oversaturation of early childhood programs in certain neighborhoods and the need for flexibility in program offerings. - Brender suggests …

2:57:51

·

89 sec

Q&A

Improving communication between agencies in early childhood education

Council Member Rita Joseph and Gregory Brender discuss the need for better communication and coordination between various city agencies involved in early childhood education. - They emphasize the importance of …

2:59:20

·

130 sec

REMARKS

Commitment to improving accessibility and perfecting the early childhood education system

Council Member Rita Joseph concludes by emphasizing the need to improve accessibility for families and her commitment to perfecting the early childhood education system. - Joseph stresses the importance of …

3:01:31

·

127 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Robert Ramos, President of Local 205 of DC 37

Robert Ramos, President of Local 205 of DC 37, testifies about the proposed closure of five child care centers and ongoing issues with the Department of Education (DOE). He emphasizes …

3:03:41

·

4 min

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