{"id":328900,"date":"2026-08-25T01:26:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T01:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/328900\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T01:26:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T01:26:13","slug":"nyc-schools-dont-start-until-sept-10-parents-are-scrambling-for-childcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/328900\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC schools don\u2019t start until Sept. 10. Parents are scrambling for childcare."},"content":{"rendered":"

Sign up for Chalkbeat New York\u2019s free daily newsletter<\/a> to get essential news about NYC\u2019s public schools delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n

Students in Houston and Las Vegas returned to school on Aug. 10. In Los Angeles, kids went back on Aug. 12, and Miami\u2019s students started the following day. Students returned Monday in Philadelphia<\/a>, Chicago<\/a>, and Denver<\/a>. <\/p>\n

But in New York City, students in the nation\u2019s largest school district still have nearly three weeks before the first day of school. Of the country\u2019s 20 biggest school districts, New York City\u2019s is the only one where classes don\u2019t start until September. <\/p>\n

This year\u2019s start on Thursday, Sept. 10<\/a> falls later than usual because Labor Day falls on Monday, Sept. 7. Under the city\u2019s contract with the teachers union, teachers return to school the day after Labor Day for two days of prep and professional development. Students return to school the Thursday after Labor Day. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s left families to fill nearly 11 summer weeks without school. Many parents are struggling to find childcare since most camps ended in mid-August, including the city\u2019s free Summer Rising program, which wrapped up Aug. 14. Some educators also worry that the late start disadvantages their students academically, especially those from low-income households.<\/p>\n

Brooklyn parent Elizabeth Skid, who has a kindergartner and third grader at P.S. 39, recalled how during her childhood in the Midwest, the start of school moved from September to August. She\u2019s continually surprised \u2014 and angered \u2014 by New York City\u2019s school calendar, including the frequent holidays. <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it would get easier every year, but every year, it pisses me off,\u201d she said, even though she has the luxury of working from home if her children are out of school. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t make sense for parents.\u201d <\/p>\n

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It\u2019s also been a challenge for Brittany Castillo, whose son will start first grade at Brooklyn\u2019s Hellenic Classical Charter School, which follows the same schedule as city-run schools. She thought things were set after signing him up for an eight-week day camp, and only realized there was a three-week gap once that ended last week. <\/p>\n

To fill the void, she managed to find a week-long sports camp at the last minute \u2014 though it\u2019s an added cost she hadn\u2019t anticipated. She also plans to take some time off. That\u2019s a \u201csilver lining,\u201d she said, because previously, she often saved her time off for sick days for her kid and ended up not using them. <\/p>\n

She\u2019s not sure, however, what she\u2019ll do after Labor Day. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat second week of September, we\u2019re going to scramble,\u201d Castillo said. <\/p>\n

Some organizations are trying to fill the void, offering mini-camps this week and next, but several camps struggle to offer extra days since they rely on college students who\u2019ve already returned to school. And those that do have openings can be pretty pricey. <\/p>\n

A week of gymnastics or ninja camp at Brooklyn\u2019s Chelsea Piers <\/a>outpost costs $950 a week from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A climbing camp at Manhattan\u2019s Central Rock gym<\/a> costs $775 for the week from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In central Queens, Commonpoint recently added a mini-camp<\/a> for the week of Aug. 31, costing $650 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, several charter schools across the five boroughs have started the school year. Students at Uncommon Schools, for example, returned Monday<\/a>. At Success Academy, the city\u2019s largest charter network, high schoolers began returning Aug. 3<\/a>, followed by younger students at later dates. <\/p>\n

Amy Zimmer is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat New York. Contact Amy atazimmer@chalkbeat.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n