Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Amber Cartwright as the new executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. The announcement comes over a year after the previous director left the role and follows criticism of the mayor’s budget proposal, which did not renew millions in early childhood education funding.
Cartwright, who previously served as vice president of core services at Teaching Matters and worked in the Education Department’s Division of Early Childhood Education, will lead the office. She will oversee a team of four and report to Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar. Her office will collaborate with city agencies, including the Department of Education, Administration for Children’s Services, and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
In a statement, Cartwright expressed her commitment to building a high-quality, accessible early childhood education system. “I am excited to continue supporting children, families, early educators, and child care providers,” she said. “Together, I hope to cultivate a collaborative community focused on giving every child a strong start and a brighter future.”
The Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education was established two years ago to coordinate early childhood education efforts across city agencies. However, the office has been without a permanent leader since October 2023, when former Executive Director Michelle Field left to join Harlem Children’s Zone, a nonprofit focused on combating poverty through education and support programs.
Funding Concerns Persist
The appointment comes as advocates and City Council members continue to push for more funding for early childhood programs. Adams’ initial budget released earlier this year did not include $112 million for the city’s 3-K programs, $55 million for specialized preschool programs for children with disabilities, or $25 million for expanded day preschool seats. Those programs were previously supported by federal COVID relief funds.
Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care, welcomed Cartwright’s appointment but expressed skepticism about the administration’s commitment to investing in child care. “The success of this office depends on whether Mayor Adams prioritizes child care and pre-K programs,” she said. “Without adequate funding, there’s only so much they can do.”
Adams has argued that scaling back the 3-K program is necessary due to unfilled seats in some areas, claiming a mismatch between supply and demand. However, advocates and City Council members counter that the city needs to invest more in outreach and enrollment to ensure seats are filled, as demand often exceeds availability in many neighborhoods.
Calls for Expansion
During her annual State of the City Address on Tuesday, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams called for increased funding for early childhood education. She urged the city and state to expand child care subsidies and vouchers, emphasizing the importance of affordable child care for families and the economy. “A robust and affordable system is essential to children’s development and our city’s future,” she said.
Advocates have also launched a campaign called “2-Care,” which aims to provide free child care for all New York City 2-year-olds. The initiative, supported by grassroots groups, parents, and local officials, would serve approximately 60,000 children and require an estimated $1.3 billion in funding.
Bailin stressed the need for expansion rather than cuts. “This is a time when we must be growing these programs, not reducing them,” she said. “The demand for child care is enormous, and we need to meet it.”
As budget negotiations continue, early childhood education funding is expected to remain a key issue between the Adams administration and the City Council. Hearings on the budget are set to begin later this month.
