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Hochul Unveils $4.5B Plan Adding 35,000 Pre-K Seats

8/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to add 35,000 pre-K seats statewide.
$4.5 billion will fund childcare and pre-kindergarten this fiscal year, add $1.2 billion to keep $3 billion for Child Care Assistance Program, raise tax credit to $576 for 230,000 families, and back a $66 million infant-care pilot.
New York City launched a free 2-K program with 2,000 seats, received over 5,700 applications, and expects $425 million in state funding by 2027.

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Story summary

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to add 35,000 pre-K seats statewide.
$4.5 billion will fund childcare and pre-kindergarten this fiscal year, add $1.2 billion to keep $3 billion for Child Care Assistance Program, raise tax credit to $576 for 230,000 families, and back a $66 million infant-care pilot.
New York City launched a free 2-K program with 2,000 seats, received over 5,700 applications, and expects $425 million in state funding by 2027.