ALBANY, N.Y. — A new roadmap aimed at achieving universal child care in New York has been unveiled by the Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC). The initiative intends to make child care free and accessible for all families with children up to the age of 12, addressing critical issues such as soaring costs, long waiting lists, and workforce shortages that plague the current system.
This moment is seen as pivotal, with both Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani expressing a commitment to prioritize universal child care initiatives. The ESCCC’s proposal builds on the recommendations of the state’s Child Care Availability Task Force, laying out a detailed six-year plan with four critical steps.
First, the coalition underscores the importance of raising wages for child care workers. They argue that addressing the workforce crisis is essential to enabling universal child care. Legislation is being sought to immediately increase pay for early childhood educators, allowing programs to attract and retain qualified staff.
Second, the roadmap calls for full funding of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which currently faces overwhelming demand and long waiting lists across 27 counties. Proposed changes include eliminating parent co-pays, simplifying application processes, and shifting the management of CCAP to the state to enhance efficiency.
Third, the plan introduces the idea of “Community Eligibility” districts, which would allow communities with high numbers of income-eligible children to automatically qualify for free child care. This model mirrors the successful initiative for universal free school meals, removing bureaucratic hurdles for families.
Lastly, for families who do not qualify for CCAP or community eligibility, the roadmap proposes capping out-of-pocket child care costs at $100 per week per child, with the state subsidizing the balance. This aims to make child care more affordable for all families across New York.
The ESCCC’s comprehensive approach is a hopeful step towards reforming child care in New York, making it more accessible and alleviating financial burdens for families. As discussions progress, the coalition remains optimistic that the state will take significant strides towards realizing universal child care in the coming years.