In this report, we review the recent history of publicly funded ECE services in NYC, in particular the contracted part of the ECE system and the recent challenges it has faced prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyze administrative data on system enrollment and capacity and build on this analysis with insights from ECE program providers that contextualize trends in administrative data. To better understand the barriers families, face in accessing public ECE programs, as well as solutions to those barriers, we spoke directly with parents of young children across a dozen listening sessions. We leveraged these qualitative data and partnerships with child and family service providers to develop and launch a citywide survey of parents, which we also report on and inform recommendation for action. The goal of this work is to inform recommendations for public policy, as well as budgetary and administrative decisions, to build a path toward a universal early care and education system in NYC— a system that has increased capacity, adequately supports ECE providers, and increases transparency and communication between local government and communities. (author abstract)