NEWYORK: Governor Kathy Hochul joined elected leaders, parents, and advocates at the Vanderbilt YMCA to highlight childcare investments in the Fiscal Year 2027 New York State Budget.
Governor Hochul is putting New York State on a concrete path to universal child care, beginning with investments that will support the delivery of affordable child care to up to 100,000 additional children.
“As New York’s first mom Governor, I’ve consistently delivered one clear message to New Yorkers: your family is my fight,” Governor Hochul said.
“Too many families across this state are struggling with the exorbitant cost of childcare. This year, I’m proud that we’re making childcare more affordable and accessible across our state, delivering relief for working parents and making New York the best state in the country to raise healthy kids and families.”
“From starting the nation’s first kindergartens in the early 1900s to leading on the rollout of Universal Pre-K just over a decade ago, United Neighborhood Houses and our settlement house members have fought for decades to raise the profile on early childhood education as a public good to which every New York family deserves access. We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for having the courage and vision to put New York on a path to universal child care, and for embracing our campaign to fund 2-Care for two-year-olds in New York City. We look forward to working with New York State to bring our shared vision to life,” said United Neighborhood Houses Executive Director Susan Stamler.
“Parents have been organizing for years to make universal child care a reality in New York, and today we’re closer than we’ve ever been. These investments will help parents stay in the workforce, help families stay in New York, and make raising a child here something more families can actually afford. We’re grateful to the Governor for hearing parents and delivering for them,” said New Yorkers United for Child Care Executive Director Rebecca Ballin.
“We’re grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the State for the deep commitment to make universal child care a reality for New Yorkers. Grand Street Settlement is excited to work alongside the State to ensure this system provides living wages for early childhood educators, strengthens the workforce pipeline, and creates smart partnerships that make child care part of every community,” said Grand Street Settlement Chief Executive Officer Robert Cordero.
“We applaud the Governor and State Legislature for prioritizing childcare in this year’s budget. Getting the State on the path for universal childcare signals to families that New York values high-quality, safe learning environment. Affordable childcare is the right step in making New York more affordable for families and for setting children on the right educational path,” said President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York Sharon Greenberger.
In this State Budget, Governor Hochul is putting New York State on a concrete path to universal, affordable child care, beginning with committing to investments that will support the delivery of affordable child care to up to 100,000 additional children.
The Governor’s landmark investment will increase funding by $1.7 billion bringing the total FY27 investment to $4.5 billion for child care and pre-kindergarten services statewide.
