Top official in charge of NYC early childhood education exits after years of criticism

New York City's top official in charge of early childhood education is leaving her job following years of criticism over the management of pre-K and 3-K, as well as the Adams administration's yet-unfulfilled pledge that every parent who wanted a seat in the popular programs would receive one.

Kara Ahmed announced she was leaving Tuesday. Gothamist obtained footage of her remarks in a video call, as well as an email she sent to colleagues.

“It is with a heart full of emotions that I am announcing my transition,” she wrote. “The work we have accomplished together, all in service to children and in partnership with their families, has created the necessary foundation to stabilize, strengthen and sustain our early childhood education system. The children, their families and the educators across this grand portfolio deserve no less.”

Ahmed said she was taking a job “to elevate the importance of early childhood education on a national level.”

Her tenure was rocky from the start. Delayed payments to providers early in the Adams’ administration pushed some to the brink of closure.

In fall 2022, the United Federation of Teachers union voted “no confidence” in Ahmed’s leadership, though Schools Chancellor David Banks praised her efforts. Banks blamed the dysfunction on former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Meanwhile, Adams implemented cuts to early childhood education while pumping the brakes on a de Blasio-era plan to expand 3-K, noting expansion efforts depended on federal funds that were drying up. Adams and Banks instead said they were focused on making sure the supply of 3-K seats matched demand, shifting seats when there were too many in one neighborhood and not enough in another.

Over the past year, Adams proposed $170 million in further cuts to early education, sparking more protests from parents and advocates. The fate of 3-K became a centerpiece of budget negotiations with the City Council.

In May, about 2,500 parents who had applied to 3-K were devastated to receive waitlist letters – even though Adams had promised all applicants would receive a seat. As part of the budget deal last month, Adams pledged additional funding to ensure seats for those families, and restored some – but not all – funding for early childhood programs.

The city’s Independent Budget Office calculated that the program faced $283 million in cuts in the 2024 fiscal year, and $399 million for the coming fiscal year.

Ahmed’s departure comes amid mounting alarm over the cost of child care in the city, which is comparable to renting a second apartment. The vast majority of families pay between $14,000 and $20,000 a year for care for a child aged 5 or younger, according to experts.

Rebecca Bailin, of New Yorkers United for Child Care, was critical of Ahmed. But she reserved more blame for Adams.

“This administration definitely gets an F, and that includes Kara Ahmed, for how they’ve been defunding and deprioritizing universal 3-K,” Bailin said.

“My instinct is that with her or without her, it won’t matter unless there’s prioritization from the top. It depends on how much the mayor cares about these programs,” she said.

Banks praised Ahmed in a statement.

“I have been consistently impressed by the work happening in our early childhood classrooms across the city; the caliber of teaching and learning is truly incredible, and that is a testament to Dr. Ahmed’s vision and drive,” Banks wrote.