2026: Governor Hochul announces efforts to keep expanding childcare access

ALBANY, NY- With a brand-new legislative session underway, Governor Hochul is announcing efforts to keep expanding access to childcare statewide.

“There’s one thing that every family in New York can agree on, the cost of childcare is simply too high,” Hochul said.

With her State of the State Address nearing, Governor Hochul says she plans to deliver investments that will help families with childcare costs for nearly 100,000 more kids.

Through this $1.7 billion increased investment, the total FY27 investment will be $4.5 billion for childcare and pre-kindergarten services statewide.

As part of Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State, this proposal will Make Pre-K truly universal statewide; support other counties in building out new child care pilots that offer high-quality affordable care to families regardless of income, and expand child care subsidies to tens of thousands of additional families.

This year, Governor Hochul is reportedly expected to grow the state’s investment in child care subsidies for those that need it most with a $1.2 billion increased investment, bringing the total available for subsidies to over $3 billion.

This, according to Hochul's office, is more than 3.5 times more than the $832 million provided prior to the Governor taking office, and a nearly 40 percent increase from what was made available in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget.

New York State Capitol image.