URGENT UPDATE: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has just announced a groundbreaking commitment to affordable child care that could save families billions of dollars annually. The initiative aims to ease the heavy financial burden on parents like Kirpaul and Jeanne Babar, who currently pay around $1,600 per month for daycare services, a cost that exceeds their monthly mortgage payment.
As part of her State of the State address, Hochul’s plan is set to benefit nearly 100,000 additional New York children through significant investments in child care programs. The proposed changes include making pre-K universally available across the state, assisting counties in developing affordable child care models, and expanding subsidies to tens of thousands of families.
“This plan is a game-changer for parents struggling with exorbitant daycare costs,” said Kirpaul Babar, whose own family dynamics underscore the urgency of affordable child care. “Without the financial stress, we might have considered having more children.”
However, the ambitious plan has sparked debate among lawmakers. Critics, including Assemblyman Ed Ra (R–Franklin Square), question the feasibility of the proposed $1.7 billion increase in funding—bringing the total investment to $4.5 billion for fiscal year 2027. “The question comes down to the dollars,” Ra stated. “It’s whether it’s realistic to think this plan can be done within our existing revenue streams.”
Advocacy groups such as New Yorkers United for Child Care and the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy emphasize that the plan’s success hinges on improving pay for child care workers, who earn an average of just $37,000 a year—close to poverty wages. “We have a real workforce shortage,” said Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care. “If they’re not compensated fairly, they won’t stay in the field.”
In New York City, Hochul is collaborating with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to initiate the 2-Care program, which seeks to provide universal access to three-year-old education, further enhancing child care options in the urban area.
As the state moves forward with these transformative investments, parents and advocates are urged to stay informed about developments that could reshape the landscape of child care in New York. The financial relief provided by these initiatives could significantly impact family planning and economic stability for thousands of households across the state.
Parents looking for immediate updates on how these plans may affect their families should keep an eye on official announcements from the Governor’s office and local news outlets. The stakes are high, and the potential benefits are clear—affordable child care could soon be within reach for many struggling families.
