On Tuesday, January 7th, New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a $110 million plan to help address the state’s childcare shortage. The proposal aims to fund the construction of new child care centers and the renovation of existing ones, focusing on areas with limited access to child care.
Speaking at an event in Brooklyn, Governor Hochul explained that access to affordable child care is a pressing issue for working families. “It’s all about affordability and availability when it comes to child care,” she said. “Think about the money that’s back in your pockets. But it only helps if there’s a place to go.”
The proposed $110 million fund would support the construction of new childcare facilities and the repair of existing sites to better serve families across the state. Governor Hochul also emphasized the importance of addressing logistical challenges in child care provision. To that end, she introduced the concept of a “substitute pool” to provide reliable temporary staff when childcare centers face shortages due to staff absences. “We need to get there,” Governor Hochul said, expressing her commitment to expanding child care access statewide.
This proposal builds on a broader vision for child care in New York. Governor Hochul aims to create a coalition of business leaders, labor unions, and child care providers to guide the state’s path toward universal child care. This follows an announcement earlier this week regarding an expansion of New York’s child tax credit, which includes increasing the credit to help families with children under age 4 and from age 4 to 16, providing further support to working parents.
Labor leaders are rallying behind the initiative. DC37 NYC public employee leader Henry Garrido expressed strong support, noting that many workers are required to live in the city they serve but are unable to find reliable child care, which may force them to leave their jobs.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden also expressed support for the effort, stating, “Since the re-launch of the Child Care Availability Task Force, New York has continued to make great strides in reducing out-of-pocket costs for families, increasing access to quality care statewide, and supporting the vital workforce.”
Despite broad support, Governor Hochul’s proposal must still navigate legislative approval and the challenges of balancing a tight state budget. With other spending priorities, including tax credits and stimulus checks, the outcome remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the push for improved childcare infrastructure continues to gain momentum.
