YouTube star Rachel criticizes Mayor Adams' early childhood education cuts

Metro

by olivia land and craig mccarthy

She is educating the mayor.

Children's favorite YouTube star Rachel slammed New York City Mayor Eric Adams for cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from early childhood education, stressing that investments in the program will have a “lifelong” benefit for children.

“Parents are having a really hard time finding affordable, high-quality child care,” Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Acaso, said on TikTok on Tuesday.

“Here in New York City, the mayor has cut $400 million from early childhood education programs and is proposing further cuts,” the former kindergarten teacher turned influencer explained.

“When all children have access to high-quality early childhood education options, it helps them throughout their lives and literally creates a better world for all of us and future generations,” Accurso said. he added.

“For every dollar you invest in early childhood education, you get anywhere from $4 to $16 back,” said the mother of one, who has amassed 9.2 million followers on YouTube with her “Songs for Littles” series.

Accurso wrote in the post that she was heading to Washington, D.C., to advocate for those affected by child care cuts, and viewers were encouraged to sign up for a petition on the New Yorkers United for Child Care website. signed.

Accurso did not immediately respond to the Post's request for comment.

Adams' controversial cuts to free 3-K and preschool in the city caused panic among local parents who rely on child care and early education programs.

The current administration plans to cut the budget by another 14% in 2025, New Yorkers United for Child Care told CBS News.

Last month, schools principal David Banks vowed that the Department of Education is “fighting like hell” to restore programs from deep cuts as COVID-19 funding dries up.

“We all agree that we must find a long-term source of funding for the 3K program,” Banks said in a letter to the Times.

“We are committed to ensuring that 3-K is here to stay and offer a full range of excellent early childhood programs to all families,” he added.

The administration also noted that it offered 46,000 3-K seats last year, about 83% of which were filled.

Going forward, officials said they will focus on rotating seats between neighborhoods to ensure the program is available where families need seats the most.

Chalkbeat New York reports that the City Council responded to Adams' budget proposal by restoring funding to the administration and injecting an additional $45 million in cash to increase the number of slots in the city's 3K and pre-K programs. requested that the amount be increased.

“Along with housing, early childhood education has become paramount to working and middle-class families. We need to,” City Council President Adrian Adams said of the issue.