Statement on State of the State Child Care Proposals

Early Care & Learning Council and the network of 35 Child Care Resource Centers (CCRCs) applaud Governor Hochul and her administration for the proposed initiatives to make child care more accessible and affordable in New York.

Proposals for a $110 million Child Care Construction Fund, a Child Care Substitute Pool of trusted professionals, and the New York Coalition for Child Care to build out funding for assistance and identify a sustainable path forward for achieving universal child care are all efforts that will fix a system that has been fractured for far too long.

For thousands of parents and families, child care providers and employers throughout New York State, CCRCs are a key support in navigating the complex child care system. Each day, as CCRCs help to open new child care programs, provide technical assistance to providers, and meet the needs of children in child care settings, they hear reports from the field that investments in facilities are needed. $110 million for new construction, specifically with a $10 million set aside for repairs and renovations of family and group family child care, will help struggling child care businesses stay afloat. 

Child care programs remain a pillar of strength and consistency for many children and families, yet CCRCs know that for providers to keep their programs open they must have adequate staffing. Having access to already vetted professionals will address one factor leading to the ongoing workforce shortage by creating a reliable pipeline of providers. Combining policy and funding solutions will allow for the reduction of logistical barriers that negatively impact the sector. We encourage the legislature to support and expand upon these concepts in the upcoming budget process.

“Over the last year our network has worked in lockstep with business and industry experts on the launch of the Business Navigator program and the continuation of this momentum through establishment of a coalition to further explore the funding mechanism needed to operationalize universal child care is an excellent next step.”- Meredith Chimento, Executive Director, Early Care & Learning Council.

Jessica Klos-Shapiro

Senior Director of Policy & Community Education