Scott Stringer Unveils RISE Plan to Support NYC Childcare Providers
Today, mayoral candidate Scott Stringer released his latest policy proposal—RISE: Reform, Integrate, Support, and Empower—a new plan to fix New York City’s broken childcare infrastructure by streamlining licensing, supporting providers, and expanding professional opportunities for caregivers.
“Every parent in this city knows the stress of finding childcare,” said Stringer. “But we rarely stop to think about how hard we make it for the people providing that care. These are overwhelmingly women—immigrants, women of color—many running small businesses out of homes, working long hours, and all too often jumping through endless bureaucratic hoops just to keep their doors open. That’s not just unfair, it’s bad policy. The RISE plan is about changing that. We’re going to cut the red tape, streamline the system, and start treating childcare providers like what they are: essential.”
The RISE plan addresses one of the most urgent challenges for families: the mismatch between skyrocketing demand for childcare and a supply system paralyzed by red tape, hard-to-navigate systems, and poor cross-agency coordination. RISE will:
- Create a team of multilingual “licensing navigators” to provide individualized support to childcare providers and help them meet health, safety, and zoning requirements
- Launch a centralized online portal to streamline and track licensing, inspections, and compliance processes across agencies like OCFS, DOHMH, DOE, FDNY, and ACS
- Make background checks portable so childcare staff can move between jobs without redundant delays
- Pilot extended and expedited licenses for providers with strong compliance history
- Expand access to CDA credentials by scaling credit-bearing programs, increasing financial aid, and offering multilingual outreach and flexible class options
A Family-First Vision for New York City
RISE is the latest pillar in Stringer’s broader agenda to restore New York City as a place where families can not only survive, but thrive.
Alongside ROOF, his plan to build and preserve 42,000 family-sized homes, and PLAY NYC, a visionary proposal to reimagine public space with free summer programming, pop-up play streets, and expanded access to parks and pools, RISE helps complete a family-focused blueprint for the city’s future.
“RISE is part of a bigger promise I’m making to New York families,” Stringer said. “We’re going to make this city work for you again. That means real housing families can actually live in, places for kids to play, and finally, give childcare providers the support they need to care for our kids without drowning in paperwork and outdated processes. These aren’t pipe dreams. They’re practical fixes rooted in respect—for parents, for providers, and for every child who deserves a shot in this city.”
As the only candidate in the race to put forward a comprehensive, family-centered vision, Scott’s campaign continues to gain momentum as parents and voters demand solutions.