Following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Thursday, Jan. 8, to provide universal childcare for children under five years old across the state, Caribbean-American elected officials joined their legislative colleagues, leaders in the childcare space, advocates, unions, educators, and parents in voicing support for this unprecedented investment.
The landmark collaborative announcement by Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled 2-Care, a new program that 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 program.
In addition to 2-Care, Hochul’s broader child care proposal includes increased funding for child care subsidies, the creation of a new Office of Child Care and Early Education, and bolstering New York City’s 3-K program.
The landmark extension is delivering “real relief, not rhetoric,” Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, a parent of two and son of Jamaican immigrants, told Caribbean Life.
Cunningham, who represents Brooklyn’s Assembly District 43 – encompassing Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Flatbush – is reportedly heavily favored to be chosen as Hochul’s running mate and is considered a leader in affordability and immigrant rights.
The Assembly Member said the announcement reflects what parents have been saying for years — that childcare is not optional, but essential for both families and the economy.
“In my two years as a father, parenthood has taught me that the cost of childcare forces families to weigh it against other essential expenses,” he said. “Universal childcare is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for New York City and New York State, and this is an encouraging step forward.”
The expansion, announced in Brooklyn as part of a collaboration between the governor and the mayor, will broaden access to free childcare for more families, particularly those with younger children who have historically been excluded from public programs.
Cunningham praised the partnership between City Hall and Albany, emphasizing that early childhood investments have a ripple effect far beyond the classroom, and that a cordial relationship between New York City and State leaders is key.
“Everything works better when the city and state work together,” he said. “Today’s announcement sends a clear message to New Yorkers: they are being heard, and that recognition is being met with action.
“This investment in early childhood education is also an investment in economic stability for working parents,” he added.
Cunningham’s Assembly colleague, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. voiced strong support for Hochul’s commitment to expanding Universal Child Care, calling it “a transformative investment in New York’s children, families, and economic future.
“As a mother and legislator, I know the difficult choices families face with child care costs,” said the representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, who also chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
“I am so proud to stand alongside Gov. Hochul right here in our district at the Flatbush YMCA as she makes this historic announcement — one that benefits our youngest New Yorkers to have access to high-quality early education, regardless of income or zip code,” she added.
Hochul’s plan includes a $1.7 billion investment to expand Universal Child Care statewide, bringing total state funding for child care and early childhood education to approximately $4.5 billion.
The investment will expand access for nearly 100,000 children, strengthen programs, and help deliver affordable, high-quality care across New York.
“Universal Child Care is more than education policy — it is a quality of life commitment to our diverse families,” Bichotte Hermelyn said. “When we invest early, we reduce financial strain on parents, support working families, and give children the tools they need to succeed.
“Gov. Hochul’s leadership recognizes a simple truth: child care is not a luxury — it is a critical infrastructure,” she added. “By partnering with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to expand access from 3K to early childhood care, this investment strengthens our workforce, supports family stability, and builds a more equitable future.”
Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, another daughter of Haitian immigrants, said, “As a mother and as an Assembly Member, I’m excited to see New York take an important step towards universal child care.
“I welcome the proposal to provide care for two-year-olds in New York City and to strengthen the existing 3K program by Mayor Mamdani and Gov. Hochul,” added the representative for the 57th Assembly District in Brooklyn. “Childcare should be treated as an essential public good that each family has access to so they can thrive.”
Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, said, “As a mother of four, an educator, and a lifelong advocate for families, I know firsthand how hard it is for working parents to secure safe, affordable child care.
“Having founded and operated a 24/7 child care center, I’ve seen the real consequences when families are forced to choose between paying bills and caring for their children,” said the representative for the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn. “That’s why, as a member of the New York State Assembly Children and Families Committee, I fought alongside Chair Hevesi and child care advocates to deliver a historic $2.2 billion statewide investment in child care in this year’s budget.
“This funding will stabilize child care programs and expand subsidies for New York City families — helping parents stay in the workforce and giving children the strong start they deserve,” Chandler-Waterman added. “Investing in early childhood care and education is not just good policy — it’s a commitment to our families, our caregivers, and the future of New York State.”
New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, said, “Gov. Kathy Hochul’s leadership brings New York meaningfully closer to universal child care for families with children under four, delivering a long overdue breakthrough for working parents across our state.
“By expanding access, closing long-standing gaps, and including middle-income families who were previously excluded, this initiative strengthens financial security for households and removes one of the greatest barriers keeping women from fully participating in the workforce,” said the representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn. “Reliable, affordable child care is economic infrastructure, and this investment will support family stability, workforce participation, and long-term economic growth in communities across New York.
