#childcare-expansion

#childcare-expansion

The governor's budget proposal, the first step in hammering out a new spending deal with the state Legislature by April 1, includes plans to provide free childcare to children aged two and over in New York City and children aged four and up throughout the rest of New York State, pledging $4.5 billion to expand free childcare statewide. That investment represents a $1.7 billion increase compared to the 2025 state budget.

The initiative is part of the NYC Bright Starts program, and it was pitched to reinforce New York City Public Schools' existing infant and toddler programs through the federal Head Start program, which offers a variety of services to support school-readiness for children from birth to age 5 for low-income families. Last year, the Trump administration attempted to bar undocumented immigrant children from enrolling in Head Start programs, but a federal judge's injunction put the effort on hold nationwide in September.

Up to 40,000 children waiting as Government plans major expansion of childcare services Focus on large-scale services with an average of 100 places for children aged one to three State will tender for operators to run the facilities, with both new and existing providers eligible