Governor Hochul Unveils Major Investment to Achieve Universal Child Care for NYC by 2028

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a significant investment aimed at establishing universal child care for children under five in New York City. This initiative seeks to provide affordable and accessible child care options, aligning with efforts to bolster the city’s existing 3K program and introduce a new program for two-year-olds, called 2-Care.

Under the plan, nearly 100,000 additional children will gain access to affordable childcare through the expansion of statewide Universal Pre-K and access to targeted subsidies. The goal is for every four-year-old in New York State to have access to Pre-K by the 2028-29 school year. Beginning in 2026, the state will widen access to high-quality child care programs, saving families billions annually. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized that this partnership aims to concretize the vision for universal care, ensuring no child is left behind regardless of income.

Specific milestones for this implementation include achieving truly universal Pre-K access by 2028, launching the two-year-old 2-Care program, and expanding the existing 3K program for three-year-olds. To facilitate this transition, the Governor plans to establish an Office of Child Care and Early Education focused on steering the rollout of these initiatives. This approach builds on previous efforts, such as increasing funding for child care, which has more than doubled in recent years, and expanding income eligibility for families applying for subsidies.

Hochul also highlighted that the state has made substantial strides in increasing the number of children served through vouchers and improving affordability by capping weekly costs at $15 for many families. These steps are designed to alleviate the financial burden on parents, with many stating that child care costs have contributed to housing instability in the city (Source: https://youtu.be/OKscEdO36Gw&t=659)

The administration faces ongoing challenges, particularly in ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and funding mechanisms are in place to support the increased demand for child care services. Both city and state officials acknowledge that systemic issues remain, and advocates for early childhood education are calling for a collaborative approach to address them effectively (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2025/02/21/nyc-council-hearing-sparks-concerns-over-sudden-closures-of-early-childhood-care-centers/).

As the initiative progresses, it will be essential to maintain open communication with families and providers to ensure that the vision for universal child care becomes a reality for all New Yorkers.