UPDATE: New York Governor Kathy Hochul just announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing child care across the state, with a staggering investment of $4.5 billion planned for fiscal year 2027. This plan is projected to save families billions and ease the crushing financial burden of child care, which currently averages around $20,000 a year per child.
Parents like Kirpaul and Jeanne Babar, who are struggling with monthly expenses exceeding their mortgage payments, welcome these developments. “We spend $1,600 a month for our kid. That’s a huge part of our budget,” Kirpaul stated. The Babars, who have a 6 and a 2-year-old, support universal child care, believing it would empower families to expand their households. “If we didn’t have to pay for day care, we would have had more kids,” he added.
Governor Hochul’s plan aims to provide affordable child care for nearly 100,000 additional children. The initiative includes making pre-K universally accessible statewide, assisting counties in creating affordable child care models, and expanding subsidies to tens of thousands of families. This is a direct response to the overwhelming need for affordable child care options in New York, which many families cite as a significant barrier.
Despite the ambitious goals, the proposal is facing scrutiny. Assemblyman Ed Ra (R–Franklin Square) expressed concerns about the feasibility of financing the proposed $1.7 billion increase in funding. “The question comes down to the dollars,” he noted, as discussions continue about how to align this plan with existing revenue streams.
Advocates for child care reform, including New Yorkers United for Child Care and the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, stress the importance of addressing workforce shortages in the child care sector. “We have a real workforce shortage,” warned Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care. “If they’re not being paid well, they’re not going to want to do the work.”
Current salaries for child care providers average only $37,000 a year, a figure described by Dede Hill, vice president of policy at the Schuyler Center, as “near poverty wages.” These advocates argue that without improving compensation for providers, the vision of universal child care in New York could remain unattainable.
In New York City, the initiative will be further supported by a new 2-Care program, in collaboration with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This partnership aims to ensure access to universal 3K education for young children in the city.
As the state moves forward with these critical investments, families across New York are watching closely, hoping for relief from the financial strains of child care. The developments are not only a matter of policy but also a lifeline for many families struggling to balance work and family life.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the state outlines further details of this extensive plan. The urgency of this issue resonates deeply with families, and the outcome could reshape the landscape of child care in New York for years to come.
