The state of New York is famous for its big cities crowded with lots of people. With over 14 million people calling the state home, it seems like it lives up its reputation. With such a large number of people, it might come as a surprise that the residents of New York only represent 6.4% of the nation’s total number of residents. However, New Yorkers under the age of eleven don’t represent their share of the nation’s residents under the age of eleven. In fact, New Yorkers under the age of eleven don’t even add up to reach the six percent mark of the nation’s residents of the same age group. While the kids seem to be underrepresented in New York, their needs are predicable. Taking into account two-parent families with both parents working or single-parent families with the parent working, the number of kids under the age of six potentially needing child care comes out around 5.6% of the nation’s total. That is in line with the percentage of kids living in the state.
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Kids are not only underrepresented in population. They are left out of other equations in the state, as well. New York has over four thousand child care centers throughout the state, and, even if that sounds like a lot, when looked at from a wider perspective, the number reveals something else. The number of child care centers in the state of New York is about 3.4% of the nation’s total number of child care centers. With just under six percent of the nation’s children under the age of eleven and the same percentage falling into the “potentially needing child care” group, 3.4% is significantly less than the expected number. New York does make up for it a little with over 14,000 family child care homes (6.3% of the nation’s total) however 0% of the family child care homes are nationally accredited.
For every category of child care, New York falls on the higher side of the price scale. In fact, in before/after school care for a school-aged child, New York dictates the nationwide high in both child care centers and family child care homes.
Everyone knows that the benefits of New York are hard to measure. It is one of the most popular places in the world with attractions for every age and never a dull moment, but when it comes to child care, New York offers fewer options at a higher price than most other places in the country.
