Podcast Summary: No One Is Coming to Save Us – Episode: Make Child Care Guaranteed

Introduction

In the poignant episode titled "Make Child Care Guaranteed" from Season 5 of No One Is Coming to Save Us, hosted by veteran reporter Gloria Rivera from Lemonada Media, listeners are taken deep into the heart of America’s childcare crisis. This episode, released on May 1, 2025, sheds light on the multifaceted challenges parents face, particularly in major cities like New York, and showcases the grassroots movements striving to create a unified roadmap for a sustainable and equitable childcare system.

The Broken Child Care System

Gloria Rivera opens the episode by highlighting the pervasive issues plaguing the American childcare system. She emphasizes that the system is "broken" due to outdated mindsets that uphold the status quo, preventing necessary reforms. Rivera introduces the Baynham Family Foundation’s We Vision Early Ed initiative, which aims to revolutionize childcare by advocating for:

1. Early Learning: Shifting the perception of when learning begins, ensuring care is accessible from birth.
2. Inclusivity: Guaranteeing access for all children ages 0 to 5, irrespective of socioeconomic status.
3. Affordability: Redefining childcare costs and funding mechanisms to alleviate financial burdens on families.
4. Quality and Governance: Establishing high-quality standards and inclusive decision-making processes involving educators, parents, and community leaders.

Personal Stories: The Struggle of Affording Child Care

The episode delves into the personal struggles of parents like Rebecca Bailin and Caroline Furman to illustrate the real-life implications of an inadequate childcare system.

At [02:26], Rebecca Bailin discusses the exorbitant costs of childcare in California, stating, “Right now having two kids go to daycare two days a week in Seattle. The cost of it will be more than my take-home pay.” This sentiment echoes the financial strain many parents endure, leading to difficult choices such as staying home from work or accruing unmanageable debt.

Caroline Furman, a mother of two from Washington Heights, shares her ordeal in securing a 3K spot for her child. At [12:24], she recounts receiving a rejection letter despite assurances of availability, expressing, “Oh, my God. It's the worst feeling.” Such experiences underscore the inconsistency and unreliability of current public childcare provisions.

Organizing for Change: New Yorkers United for Child Care

Central to the episode is the inspiring narrative of Rebecca Bailin, founder of New Yorkers United for Child Care. Established in November 2023, the organization rapidly mobilized over 6,000 New Yorkers within six months to combat proposed budget cuts to Pre K and 3K programs. At [13:58], Bailin reveals, “We launched at this party, at this bar during the day, made it kid-friendly... and we raised like $20,000 in small donations. 200 parents and their kids showed up.”

The collective action spearheaded by New Yorkers United for Child Care was instrumental in halting the $400 million budget cuts planned by Mayor Eric Adams, ensuring that "every parent eventually who applied got their 3K seat that they were promised." Bailin emphasizes the power of organized parent advocacy, stating, “by organizing this constituency, you can make real, real powerful change and a real impact.”

The Financial Reality of Child Care in NYC

Rivera provides a stark comparison of childcare costs to family incomes. At [10:09], she explains, “Everywhere else across this country, childcare in New York City is wildly expensive, averaging $23,000 per year per kid. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, childcare is considered affordable if it costs families no more than 7% of their income. That means New York City parents would need to be bringing in about $334,000 per year for things to feel affordable.”

This disparity highlights the unsustainable financial pressure on families, forcing many to forego dual incomes or essential savings to afford quality childcare.

Expanding the Vision: From 3K to Universal Child Care

Building on their success in preserving Pre K and 3K programs, New Yorkers United for Child Care aims to extend services to younger children, advocating for "universal public child care" from birth to five years old. At [31:17], Bailin outlines their five-year roadmap:

1. Year One: Make 3K and Pre K truly universal across NYC without rejections or waitlists.
2. Year Two: Expand these programs statewide, ensuring accessibility for all three and four-year-olds.
3. Years Three and Four: Introduce care for infants and two-year-olds, making child care from 0 to 5 a guaranteed system.

Bailin underscores the economic and social benefits of such expansion, noting that "if you have kids under 6 in New York state, you are 40% more likely to leave the state," resulting in a loss of $23 billion in economic activity in 2022 alone.

Community Impact: Preserving Neighborhoods and Cultures

The episode also touches on the broader societal impacts of inadequate childcare, such as the displacement of culturally vibrant communities. Caroline Furman shares her concern about the exodus of Hispanic families from Washington Heights due to soaring rents and childcare costs, leading to a "dramatic exodus" and a "48% drop in residents under 18 between 2000 and 2020."

International Comparisons and Feasibility

Gloria Rivera draws parallels with other countries that have successfully implemented universal childcare, citing Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, Norway, and Slovenia as examples where childcare from birth is guaranteed. She also references the U.S. Armed Services' childcare system as a model of effective, federally subsidized care that is both affordable and high quality.

Personal Transformation and Hope for the Future

Through intimate narratives, the episode illustrates how guaranteed childcare can revolutionize lives. Caroline Furman shares her personal sacrifices, such as turning down prestigious job opportunities and shelving creative projects, highlighting the profound impact of childcare insecurity on personal and professional growth. However, the organized push for universal childcare offers hope for reclaiming lost time and fostering community resilience.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The episode concludes with a resounding call to action, emphasizing that achieving universal childcare is not an unattainable dream but a feasible goal demonstrated by existing models and the success of New Yorkers United for Child Care. Rivera passionately urges listeners to support the movement, asserting, “Every child from birth to five deserves guaranteed care. No exceptions, no barriers, no waiting lists. Period.”

Notable Quotes

• Gloria Rivera [01:19]: “The child care crisis is not just another headline. It's a daily struggle playing out in millions of homes across the country.”
• Rebecca Bailin [07:49]: “You just have to make it till my kid is three. Otherwise, it's tens of thousands of dollars I wasn't expecting or budgeting for.”
• Caroline Furman [12:24]: “I've also done community organizing. And so I just felt really like, how is there no one accountable? There's gotta be.”
• Rebecca Bailin [33:10]: “We know how to do this. We know what it costs. We know who benefits, everyone. And we know the next steps we need to take.”

Final Thoughts

No One Is Coming to Save Us effectively captures the urgency and complexity of America’s childcare crisis through compelling personal stories and highlighting the transformative potential of organized advocacy. With insightful discussions and actionable plans presented by leaders like Rebecca Bailin, the episode not only raises awareness but also empowers listeners to join the fight for a childcare system that truly supports all families.