Brooklyn Coalition of Early Childhood Programs

Please join us for a conversation with community-based leaders on managing the changing landscape of New York City childcare.
The Brooklyn Coalition of Early Childhood Programs, Little Chairs and the Aster Initiative invite you to an evening with Fela Barclift, founder of Little Sun People, and mentor to the field of early childhood to share her wisdom and create conversations and community around play, rigor, and justice in early childhood.

Play, Rigor and Justice in Early Childhood: A Conversation

Wed. 2/11/2026, 7pm-8:30pm

Play, Rigor and Justice in Early Childhood A conversation with community-based leaders on the managing the changing landscape of New York City childcare

Mass Layoffs in Early Childhood Programs Threaten Services for Children

The recent dismissal of 3,600 probationary employees from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) poses a significant threat to early childhood education nationwide. This action undermines essential programs like Head Start and child care services that support our youngest and most vulnerable children.

Immediate Effects:
• Delays in Services: Fewer staff will lead to slower processing of grants and approvals for necessary facilities, causing setbacks in program delivery.
• Reduced Support: With fewer experts available, technical assistance and oversight will diminish, affecting the quality of services provided to children and families.

Long-Term Consequences:
• Loss of Expertise: The departure of dedicated public servants, many of whom chose service over more lucrative private-sector jobs, results in a significant loss of knowledge and commitment vital for nurturing and educating our children.

This move appears to be a strategic effort to weaken early childhood programs quietly, making it less noticeable to the public. By reducing the administrative capacity of these programs, the government hampers Congress’s ability to fund and maintain them, leading to a gradual erosion of support systems that families depend upon.

Organizations like Democracy Forward are actively pursuing legal actions to challenge these terminations. However, legal processes can be lengthy and uncertain. Immediate action from the early childhood community and concerned citizens is crucial.

What You Can Do:
• Contact Your Representatives: On Tuesday, reach out to your Senators and Members of Congress. Express your deep concern about the significant reduction in early childhood staff within HHS and explain how this negatively impacts your community. Urge them to take immediate action to reinstate the terminated employees and prevent further cuts. If you don’t have direct contact information, call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected based on your location.

This is not just a policy issue; it’s a moral imperative. The futures of our children and the well-being of our communities are at stake. Collective action and unwavering advocacy are our most powerful tools in confronting this challenge.

Damn Damn—what are we to do next? We must unite, raise our voices, and fiercely defend the programs and people that are the cornerstone of our children’s futures.

Leading with love, dreaming for 2025 plans coming soon.

https://www.thelangschool.org/events/institute-on-descriptive-inquiry-fall-conference

Institute on Descriptive Inquiry Fall Conference | The Lang School This day will introduce or reconnect us to descriptive processes, allowing us to look deeply at children’s work and words in order to strengthen our capacity to teach and learn alongside them. STUDENTS: Use link below to register Morning nosh and lunch provided Suggested donation: $15-30/person

https://www.embracerace.org/community/drawing-differences

Drawing Differences EmbraceRace supports parents to raise children who are brave, informed and thoughtful about race. Join the movement!

Come Join Our Little Chairs Gathering next weekend November 5 at Weeksville. It is free, healing, and revelatory. Please share!

Info about the day is in the eventbrite.

Little Chairs Big Differences Annual Gathering 2022 Join us for a one-day gathering and engage with our theme - Love, Spirit, Equity and Connection in Early Childhood

Join us in A DAY WITHOUT CHILDCARE!
Tell your story of the harm and challenge you face as a childcare provider or parent in the current early childcare climate — Your support is essential!

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/10/19/-it-s-very-stressful---weeks-into-the-school-year--some-3-k-providers-still-haven-t-been-paid?cid=id-app15_m-share_s-web_cmp-app_launch_august2020_c-producer_posts_po-organic

Weeks into the school year, some 3-K providers still haven't been paid Jillian Jorgensen has more on the report.

Brooklyn Public Library presents a free program on the Brooklyn Children's Museum rooftop in conjunction with the Brooklyn Book Festival. Join us for live storytimes, a protest art build station, book giveaways, and more!

Participants will learn about age-appropriate antiracist practices, including celebrating and affirming different races and identities, talking about injustice in our society, and modeling ways young children can engage in activism!

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/antiracist-family-day-virtual-20220929

All educators welcome! More info link in bio.