New York State has "universal pre-kindergarten," but it's only a partial day, so you'd still have to pay for the rest of the time, assuming full-time work.

I assume UPK works for enough people to be worth continuing the program, but it's so limited I wouldn't even bother to apply. It's not even remotely "universal" (very very limited slots) and if you work full time you'll still need to pay a babysitter to pick your kid up in the middle of the day and care for them until you get home.

Howdy.

Surprised to hear about the birthrate. So many folks I know are having babies or recently had babies it astounds me. I mean, kids cost a lot of money and these folks must think the future's looking pretty bright...I guess.

Hands/arms hurting so I probably ought to avoid the 'net today.

Jesse, I support you in your fuck you. Were they dissing tattoo artists in general or Kat Von D in particular?

I think in general. But of course I didn't really let her make a point, due to my "fuck you."

Out of curiosity, I went looking for NYC subsidized child care info. This is old, but still:

Families can qualify for city-subsidized child care if they earn less than 225 percent of the federal poverty level, which translates into an annual income of $26,000 for a family of two or $40,000 for a family of four. However, most families receiving child care subsidies from the city earned $18,000 a year or less, according to a report by Child Care, Inc.

Families pay a portion of the fee based on sliding scale. Those that make less than the poverty level (for example $15,967 for a family of four) are exempt from all fees and are given priority on waiting lists. Others still pay between $50 to $215 a week.

Jess, the place I used to work just rolled UPK into their full-day services. It just made it cheaper.

How could you live in New York on 26,000? I'm not sure I could live in Dallas on that much!

Semi-crappy neighborhood and/or roommates. I had several coworkers making $25K.

But then would you be married with kids?

Aw, look! Parker finally got that flight attendant gig! [link]

But then would you be married with kids?

My parents had a roommate when I was born! But anyway, if you're married, you're more than a 2-person family, and need to make more to qualify for the subsidy.

But then would you be married with kids?

$26k for a family of two is a single parent with one child.

[eta: In the context of qualifying for subsidized daycare, that is.]

This slide show from the Times-Picayune shows before and after Katrina pictures of my parents' area of town.

[link]