UPDATE: New York Governor Kathy Hochul just announced a groundbreaking initiative to significantly enhance child care affordability, potentially saving families billions of dollars annually. This urgent commitment comes as parents like Kirpaul and Jeanne Babar express the financial strain of current child care costs, which can reach an astonishing $20,000 per year.
The Babars, parents of a 6 and a 2-year-old, currently pay $1,600 monthly for daycare—more than their mortgage payment. “We would have had more kids if we didn’t have to pay for day care,” said Kirpaul Babar, highlighting the emotional toll of high child care expenses.
Hochul’s plan aims to make child care accessible for nearly 100,000 more children in New York. Key components of this initiative include making pre-K universal statewide, assisting counties in developing affordable child care models, and expanding child care subsidies to tens of thousands of families.
However, the proposal has sparked debate. Republicans, including Assemblyman Ed Ra, question the feasibility of the plan, which includes a staggering $1.7 billion increase for a total of $4.5 billion investment by fiscal year 2027. “The question comes down to the dollars,” Ra stated. “Is it realistic to think this plan can fit within our existing revenue streams?”
Advocates for child care reform, such as New Yorkers United for Child Care and the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, stress the importance of investing in the child care workforce. “We cannot achieve statewide universal child care without investing in this workforce,” said Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care. Current wages for child care providers hover around $37,000 a year, which they argue is near poverty levels.
Additionally, a new initiative in New York City will see Hochul partner with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to launch the 2-Care program and aim for universal access to 3K education in the city.
As this plan develops, New York families await critical details on how these substantial investments will reshape child care accessibility and affordability. The urgency of this proposal resonates deeply among parents facing mounting financial pressures, making it a pivotal moment for child care reform in New York.
Stay tuned for further updates as discussions unfold around the funding and implementation of these vital initiatives.
