Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani partner to expand universal childcare in NY

Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

STATEWIDE — UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE will be expanded in New York State, thanks to an “unprecedented investment” that Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani jointly announced Thursday, Jan. 8, at the YMCA Flatbush branch. This investment is the latest step in bringing affordable, universal childcare for children under five years of age across New York State. The Governor will partner with Mamdani to deliver free childcare for two-year-olds in New York City, in addition to strengthening the existing 3K program to achieve universal care and, ultimately, to serve all families across the city.

New York State will continue during 2026 to expand access to high-quality childcare programs throughout the state, through a diversity of models, saving families billions of dollars each year. Governor Hochul’s State of the State investments, coming to about $1.7 billion, will increase the total Fiscal Year 27 funding to $4.5 billion for childcare and prekindergarten services statewide.

Gov. Hochul will also launch an Office of Child Care and Early Education to steer the implementation of high-quality, universal childcare for New York families.

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