As Mamdani expands child care, lessons from a Brooklyn early childhood center

"FirstStepNYC was originally built in 2013 as a demonstration: What could early education look like if the city drew on the resources and expertise of the school system, the supports provided by a social service agency, and the principles of Head Start, to create a program that works with entire families - starting from before children are born and continuing until they go to kindergarten?"

"Education begins prenatally. An early education plan that begins with older kids is like starting to build a house from the second floor up, rather than from the foundation."

FirstStepNYC, established in 2013 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, operates as a comprehensive early education demonstration program integrating resources from the school system, social service agencies, and Head Start principles. The program supports entire families starting before birth through kindergarten entry. When Maria Santana's son struggled with separation anxiety, the center's director offered her employment as a food handler, enabling her to remain nearby while her son adjusted. As Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to expand subsidized early childhood programs through a new "2-Care" initiative targeting 2,000 seats for 2-year-olds, expanding to 8,000 seats and universal access within four years, experts suggest FirstStepNYC's integrated model warrants consideration. However, significant financial, logistical, and workforce challenges persist, particularly regarding teacher compensation in the early education sector.

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