CBS News – Cuts to early childhood education are driving children from the New York City public school system, according to advocates.

New Yorkers United for Child Care says Mayor Eric Adams has cut an estimated $400 million from early childcare programs since 2022. And there are plans to cut another 14% of the budget in 2025.

Early childhood education is slated to lose $170 million come July. Additionally, it is facing the expiration of one-time federal pandemic aid, which is set to end this summer – approximately $92 million in federal funding is supporting the current 3K program, with an additional $90 million allocated for special education programs.

“We’ve come together because we’re deeply concerned about devastating cuts to education programs that could happen as soon as July. These are investments that we’ve called for for years. We’ve always wanted to see more social workers, and we’ve wanted to make sure that young children with autism get the programs and services that they need. We are glad that the city made these investments. But now the funding is going away and we absolutely need these programs to continue,” said Randi Levine of Advocates for Children of New York.