The day care workers' union and some centers are worried that services won't survive a leaner funding model. > By Tram Whitehurst

The city teachers union dramatically expanded its influence when home day care providers voted overwhelmingly to join the United Federation of Teachers on Tuesday.

The modern era of city-funded child care was organized on the premise that low-income mothers and fathers needed a safe place to leave their children while they worked, a place where their children could learn their ABCs in a nurturing environment.

Nadia Molinari knew she would have to return to work eight weeks after her daughter was born, but she never imagined she would be paying more for child care than rent. And as the economy goes south, child-care costs are projected to heap an even bigger