Caribbean American elected officials across New York State have welcomed Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement to expand universal childcare access for children under the age of five, describing the initiative as a historic investment in working families and early childhood education.
The announcement, made on Thursday January 8, introduced a groundbreaking partnership between the state and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. At the center of the plan is a new program called 2 Care, which will provide free childcare for two year olds in New York City. The State of New York has committed to fully funding the first two years of the initiative.
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Beyond the launch of 2 Care, the governor’s broader childcare agenda includes increased funding for subsidies, the creation of a new Office of Child Care and Early Education, and additional support for the city’s 3 K program. Together, these measures aim to create a more accessible and affordable childcare system for families across the state.
Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, who represents Brooklyn’s 43rd Assembly District and is the son of Jamaican immigrants, praised the initiative as long overdue. Speaking to Caribbean Life, Cunningham said the expansion reflects what parents have been expressing for years that childcare is not optional but essential.
“In my two years as a father, I have learned firsthand how the cost of childcare forces families to make impossible choices between basic necessities,” he said. “Universal childcare is not a luxury. It is a necessity for New York City and New York State. This is a meaningful step forward.”
Cunningham also highlighted the importance of cooperation between City Hall and Albany, noting that investments in early childhood education generate benefits far beyond the classroom. He said the announcement sends a strong message that families’ concerns are being heard and acted upon.
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants and chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, described the initiative as transformative. Representing Brooklyn’s 42nd Assembly District, she said the plan will have lasting impacts on children, families, and the state’s economic future.
“As a mother and legislator, I understand the difficult choices families face when it comes to childcare costs,” she said. “I am proud to stand alongside Governor Hochul as she makes this historic announcement that ensures our youngest New Yorkers have access to high quality early education regardless of income or zip code.”
The governor’s plan includes a 1.7 billion dollar statewide investment, bringing total state funding for childcare and early childhood education to approximately 4.5 billion dollars. The expansion is expected to benefit nearly 100,000 children while strengthening childcare programs and improving access to affordable services across New York.
“Universal childcare is more than education policy,” Bichotte Hermelyn added. “It is a quality of life commitment to our diverse families. When we invest early, we support working parents and give children the tools they need to succeed.”
Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, also the daughter of Haitian immigrants and representative for Brooklyn’s 57th Assembly District, said the proposal marks an important step toward treating childcare as a public good.
“As a mother and legislator, I am excited to see New York move closer to universal childcare,” she said. “Providing care for two year olds and strengthening the 3 K program will help families thrive and build stability.”
Assembly Member Monique Chandler Waterman, whose parents immigrated from Jamaica and Barbados, emphasized the real world impact of the investment. A mother of four and former childcare center operator, she said she has witnessed firsthand how families struggle to balance work and childcare costs.
“Too many parents are forced to choose between paying bills and caring for their children,” she said. “As a member of the Children and Families Committee, I fought alongside advocates to secure a historic 2.2 billion dollar investment in childcare. This funding will stabilize programs, expand subsidies, and help parents stay in the workforce.”
Chandler Waterman added that investing in early childhood education is not only good policy but a commitment to the future of New York families and caregivers.
New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, echoed those sentiments. Representing Brooklyn’s 45th Council District, she said the expansion brings the state closer to true universal childcare.
“This initiative delivers long overdue relief to working parents,” Louis said. “By closing gaps and including middle income families who were previously excluded, it strengthens financial security and removes one of the biggest barriers to workforce participation, especially for women.”
She described reliable childcare as critical economic infrastructure that will support long term growth and stability across communities.
With the rollout of 2 Care and the expansion of existing programs, state and city leaders say New York is positioning itself as a national model for early childhood education and family support. Caribbean American lawmakers agree that the initiative marks a turning point in how government values children, families, and the future workforce.
