New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $100 million Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program aimed at dramatically increasing access to high-quality child care across the state. The initiative will support the construction of new facilities and the expansion of existing programs, with the goal of creating between 6,000 and 10,000 additional child care seats, including school-age programs.
Governor Hochul emphasized the urgent need to address the statewide shortage of child care services, noting that affordable, reliable care is essential for working families. Since taking office, she has directed more than $8 billion toward improving New York’s child care system through expanded subsidies, reduced regulatory burdens, strengthened workforce support, and employer-focused incentives.
The new capital funding program builds on a previous $50 million investment in 2024 that supported approximately 5,500 new child care seats. It is part of the Governor’s 2025 State of the State agenda and is administered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). Funding may be used for design, construction, renovation, equipment, and other capital costs for OCFS-licensed child care centers, registered school-age programs, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene permitted group day care programs. Facilities must commit to operating as child care programs for at least eight years and be located in communities with a documented child care shortage.
Applications will be accepted from February 2 through March 13, 2026, with awards expected no earlier than May 4, 2026. Grants will range from $500,000 to $5 million, with 60 percent of funds reserved for the downstate region—New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson—and 40 percent allocated to the rest of the state. Within each region, 40 percent of grants will support school-age programs and 60 percent will support child care centers.
State leaders praised the program as a critical investment in families, care providers, and local communities. OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden called the initiative a key step toward ensuring that parents can work or continue education while children receive nurturing, high-quality care. Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi highlighted the importance of long-term structural investment in areas of greatest need, and DASNY President Robert J. Rodriguez said the program reflects New York’s commitment to building strong communities through accessible and affordable child care infrastructure.
