Governor Kathy Hochul announced a sweeping initiative to make child care more accessible and affordable for families statewide as part of her 2025 State of the State proposals. The centerpiece of her plan is a $110 million Child Care Construction Fund aimed at addressing child care deserts by building new facilities and renovating existing ones. This investment will support child care providers in creating safe, modern spaces for children, with grant funding available for both nonprofit and for-profit centers, school-age programs, and family child care providers. To assist smaller providers, a portion of the fund will be set aside specifically for facility upgrades, along with technical assistance to ensure these businesses can navigate the funding process.
To tackle the persistent issue of staff shortages in child care facilities, Governor Hochul proposed establishing a “Substitute Pool.” This initiative will create a roster of vetted, trusted professionals who can step in when regular staff are unavailable, ensuring that child care centers remain open and reliable for families. The pool will also serve as a workforce pipeline, strengthening the industry’s capacity to deliver consistent care.
In a bid to lay the groundwork for universal child care, the Governor announced the formation of the New York Coalition for Child Care. This coalition will unite business leaders, labor unions, tax experts, and current child care providers to devise a sustainable plan for expanding the child care assistance system. Their mission will include broadening subsidies and creating more affordable options for middle-class families who are currently ineligible for income-based aid.
Reflecting on her own experiences as a working mother, Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of supporting families in balancing work and child-rearing responsibilities. She reiterated her commitment to investing $7 billion in child care, highlighting these new initiatives as critical steps toward achieving universal access and ensuring no parent has to choose between their career and their children’s care.
