In 2017, advocates from the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading convinced the New Orleans City Council to approve a $750,000 city allocation to pilot free full-day, full-year infant-toddler slots in the City Seats program. Agenda for Children implemented the pilot, serving 50 children and demonstrating strong demand and measurable impacts on families and providers. Building on this momentum, the city council expanded funding over the next two years to $3 million by 2020, serving 200 children. The pilot program was a success and laid the groundwork for advocates to make the case for more robust and sustainable dedicated funding through a millage campaign.

In 2020, New Orleans voters considered a broader package that renewed three expiring property tax levies to support infrastructure, libraries, housing, and economic development. The proposal would have reallocated a portion of existing millages to support early childhood care without raising taxes, however, opposition from library supporters fractured the coalition, and the measure failed with 43% of the vote.

After the 2020 defeat, advocates used lessons learned to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships with community partners, and design a campaign focused solely on early childhood education. The coalition unified the voices of parents, early learning providers, and minority women-owned small businesses—the core of the city’s child care sector. In April 2022, voters approved the Early Childhood Education Millage with 61% support. The 5-mill property tax generates approximately $21 million per year for 20 years and leverages additional state matching funds. According to the Bureau of Governmental Research, the investment increases access to publicly funded care for children ages 0–3 who are from families with low income, from roughly 25% before the millage to approximately 40% today.

Fund Purpose and Impact

Adult helping young child down a slide. — Photo provided by Agenda for Children

The Early Childhood Education Millage funds the City Seats program, providing approximately 1,000 seats each year at more than 40 early learning centers for children ages 0–3. Millage dollars also unlock matching funds from Louisiana’s Early Childhood Education Fund, expanding access to high-quality care for infants and toddlers from families who are low income. In addition to tuition support, City Seats invests in the quality and stability of early learning settings by offering comprehensive family supports, coaching and professional development for educators, and resources to strengthen the supply of high-quality centers. This investment is valued at approximately $2,500–$3,000 per child and includes the following:

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation
Teacher coaching and professional development
Developmental and health screenings
Referrals and care coordination
Targeted support to strengthen teacher-child interactions in every funded classroom

Year One Results (2023–2024) include the following highlights:

1,000 seats were funded for infants and toddlers from households that are low income—a 400% increase from 200 prior city-funded seats.
92% of participating providers reported positive impacts on enrollment.
96% of participating providers reported improved attendance.
85% of participating providers reported improved financial stability.
23% of families received referrals for developmental or health services.

Year Two Results (2024–2025) include the following highlights:

94% of families reported that City Seats helped them seek or maintain employment.
More than 80% of families reported that access to City Seats child care helped them maintain stable housing and purchase goods and services for their children.
Families are satisfied with their centers, with 90% reporting that they would recommend their current center to a friend or family member.
Centers are strengthened by City Seats and feel that the program improves quality: 93% reported their experience with the City Seats program has been “very positive.”

Governance and Administration

Agenda for Children and New Orleans Public Schools jointly lead the New Orleans Early Education Network, the coordinated early childhood system for the city. Agenda for Children administers the City Seats program and quality-building initiatives, while the New Orleans Public Schools manages the unified application and enrollment system. The roles, responsibilities, and flow of funding are formalized through a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement approved by the city council. The New Orleans Early Education Network operates under a longstanding and transparent governance structure, including a steering committee that oversees funding decisions, quality improvement efforts, and coordinated enrollment aligned with Louisiana Department of Education policies. Together, these structures ensure strong accountability, equitable access, and clear oversight of early childhood investments in New Orleans.