The demand for affordable child care rises as Election Day approaches

By Megan McGibney

Posted on October 20, 2025

When the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) opened the doors to its NYC Childcare Navigator to New Yorkers earlier this month, it could have been a beacon of hope for parents across the city. The platform gives users a list of 12,000 affordable child care programs, something many parents have been in deep need of for many years. The launch has proved to be successful.

“It is easy, it is accessible,” said Dana Levin-Robinson, CEO of Upfront, which builds childcare databases. “It shows where they can get financial support. Families have been exhausted from not having this and they are incredibly grateful.”