UPDATE: A child care crisis is unfolding in East Hampton, as families face mounting challenges amid the region’s stark wealth disparity. The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, the only affordable full-day program in the area, is overwhelmed with demand, leaving over 100 local families on waitlists.
On a foggy morning, the center buzzed with activity, as children enjoyed music lessons and playtime under a giant skylight. But outside these walls, the reality is grim for many working families, including teachers and restaurant workers, who are grappling with a child care shortage in this affluent enclave. Nearly 12 percent of East Hampton residents live in poverty, according to town supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, raising urgent questions about the sustainability of family life in the Hamptons.
As costs soar, child care has become increasingly unaffordable. Families now allocate over 22 percent of their income to child care, with expenses often eclipsing rent. In New York state, infant care can cost nearly $20,000 annually, according to the Century Foundation. The expiration of federal pandemic aid in 2023 has only worsened the situation, leaving parents struggling to find affordable options.
The Eleanor Whitmore Center charges $375 per week, providing meals and a bilingual curriculum, but it relies heavily on donations and grants. In 2025, the town awarded the center $185,000, the highest grant given to a nonprofit in the area. However, the center’s executive director, Tim Frazier, notes that they face a constant battle against the perception that “everyone’s rich in the Hamptons.”
With a growing waitlist of over 50 babies for its new infant program launching in September, the center is adapting to meet demand, but staffing remains a significant challenge. Many educators cannot afford to live nearby, exacerbating existing staffing shortages. The situation is compounded by rising housing costs and a lack of affordable options.
While the affluent summer crowd floods the area, local families find it difficult to make ends meet. Jameson McWilliams, a parent at the center, describes child care costs as feeling like a “mortgage payment.” The disparity is stark—luxury cars line library parking lots while many local workers struggle to afford basic needs.
As the community grapples with these issues, the Eleanor Whitmore Center is launching initiatives to raise funds for its infant program. A recent fundraiser aimed to secure $20,000 for essential equipment, yet $3,000 still needs to be raised. In a town where the wealthy and working-class rarely intersect, the center stands as one of the few places fostering this interaction.
The child care crisis in East Hampton serves as a microcosm of broader national trends regarding child care affordability and access. As families continue to advocate for solutions, the urgent need for sustainable support becomes increasingly clear. The question remains: Who can truly afford to raise a child in the Hamptons?
Local advocates emphasize the importance of addressing this issue, urging those with means to recognize the realities faced by working families. The Eleanor Whitmore Center’s mission to provide equitable education underscores a critical truth: quality education should not depend on income.
As the situation develops, the community must confront the growing disparities and work towards solutions that ensure every child has access to the care and education they deserve.
