New York, NY —
As that deadline looms, dozens of daycare workers, parents and elected officials rallied at City Hall yesterday to protest the closing of daycare centers.They claim the Administration for Children Services does a poor job of tracking enrollment of spots at daycare centers, resulting them being underutilized. The city wants to pay centers programs monthly, based on enrollment.
Councilwoman Letitia James introduced a resolution to prevent this plan. She says it would unfairly lead to closing of some daycares.
JAMES: I am the face of daycare centers in central Brooklyn that are suffering. Their doors are closing because ACS has not done an effective job in reaching out to communities in need, families in need.
REPORTER: James and fellow Brooklyn Councilman Bill de Blasio want ACS to establish a written procedure explaining why they close a site - a policy that doesn't currently exist.
ACS says it has formed a task force to make sure the maximum number of children are enrolled in daycare. It says under-enrolled centers must be closed.