Spotlight on Early Childhood Education: Participation in New York City’s 3-K for All program
Evidence from the Early Childhood Poverty Tracker 2017-2021
This report also uses Early Childhood Poverty Tracker data to examine participation in New York City’s 3-K for All program, which aims to expand the universal pre-K program to the city’s three-year-old children. The report finds that only a fraction of eligible families enrolled in a 3-K program despite their high interest in the program, and the gap between program application and enrollment was larger among Black, Latino, and lower-income families than their counterparts. Those who did enroll in 3-K had much lower childcare costs than those who did not, saving an average of $450 a month.
Key Findings
Many families living in poverty want to enroll their children in 3-K programs but do not end up doing so:
Ultimately, only 18% of parents with eligible children enrolled in a 3-K program.
Families living in poverty expressed the greatest interest in applying for 3-K (64%) but had the lowest rates of enrollment (15%). Black and Latinx parents experienced greater drop-off rates between interest and enrollment, compared to white parents.
Many parents were unable to enroll because they didn’t get an offer due to the limited supply of programs.
Online resources were an important source of information about 3-K programs. However, for the program to enjoy full participation, outreach is necessary and continued investment in the in-person application system could improve enrollment.
Almost half of those who didn’t apply were unaware of their child’s eligibility.
More than two-thirds of parents living above the poverty line applied to 3-K online, compared to only 39% of parents in poverty. Parents living in poverty were much more likely to apply in person.
The cost savings on child care could make a huge difference in the lives of families living in poverty.
Families who enrolled in a 3-K program had much lower childcare costs than those who did not, saving an average of $450 a month.
The Poverty Tracker is a longitudinal study of the dynamics of poverty and disadvantage in New York City. It is a joint project of Robin Hood and Columbia University. The Early Childhood Poverty Tracker is a survey of more than 1,500 New York City households with young children ages 0-3.