Affordable child care is the third proposal for Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State
ALBANY, NY- New efforts to make child care more affordable and accessible in New York is the third proposal for Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State.
The Governor will propose a $110 million Child Care Construction Fund to build new child care facilities and repair existing sites, making this critical service more accessible in what she calls ‘child care deserts.’
The Governor will also propose establishing a “substitute pool” to expand the child care workforce, helping providers find trusted, vetted professionals to quickly step in and keep classrooms open.
Finally, the Governor will launch the New York Coalition for Child Care to bring together business leaders, labor unions, service providers and tax experts to identify a sustainable path forward for achieving universal child care.
“As a young mom, I had to leave a job I loved because we couldn't find child care. No parent in New York should be forced to make that choice,” Governor Hochul said.
“I pledged to invest a record-breaking $7 billion in child care because I know working families need the help. These new proposals will make a real difference in making child care more affordable and accessible for all New Yorkers.”
Child Care Construction Grants:
In her Executive Budget, Governor Hochul will propose a $110 million investment in the Child Care Construction Fund. This fund will distribute grant money to child care providers to construct new facilities or repair existing facilities, with the goal of creating new safe sites for kids and providers. Grant funding will be available to non-profit or for-profit child care centers, as well as to school age child care programs, incentivizing the creation of new child care sites. Money will be set aside from this fund specifically for family child care providers to make renovations and repairs to their programs. In addition to renovation and repair funding for family child care providers, Governor Hochul will direct OCFS to provide technical assistance to these small businesses helping them to access this vital funding.
“Substitute Pool” for Trusted Professionals:
Too often, child care facilities have to shut down on days when staff are absent due to a lack of staff who are able to step in as substitutes. To improve reliability for kids and families, Governor Hochul is proposing the creation of a “Substitute Pool” of vetted, trusted professionals who can step in when necessary and ensure continuity of care for families. For providers, this will reduce logistical barriers and serve as a workforce pipeline, helping keep child care programs open reliably.
New York Coalition for Child Care:
Recognizing the need to put New York on the path to universal child care, Governor Hochul is convening the New York Coalition for Child Care. This will be a partnership between business leaders, labor unions, tax and revenue experts and existing child care providers, which will work to identify a sustainable path forward for achieving universal child care. Their task will be to expand the existing child care assistance system while also building more options to make quality child care more affordable and accessible for middle-class families who are not currently eligible for income-based subsidies.
Last year, the Governor announced the passage of the nation’s first-ever paid prenatal leave law, which went into effect January 1.
The law provides paid time off for individuals to prioritize their health during pregnancy, filling a crucial gap in support for working families.
She also proposed a historic expansion of New York's child tax credit, benefiting over 2.75 million children. The plan would provide up to $1,000 per child under four and up to $500 per child ages four to sixteen, significantly increasing the current credit of up to $330.
This expansion aims to reduce child poverty, assist middle-class families, and double the average credit given to families from $472 to $943.
Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
