TCA in the News

By Kalyn Grant

Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

Jan. 14, 2026

Broome County will play a major role in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $4.5 billion push to deliver statewide universal childcare.

Broome County is one of just three New York state counties that have been selected as launching pads for the initiative through a new pilot program. On Jan. 14 Hochul announced $60 million in state funding for Broome, Dutchess and Monroe counties to expand services for children between the ages of 0 and 3 years old.

Each county will also make its own new investments to offer additional childcare options in its communities. The projects launching under the pilot program are expected to go live by 2027.

In a statement, Hochul highlighted her efforts to provide New Yorkers with universal childcare for children under the age of 5.

“I’ll never stop working to make life more affordable for New Yorkers – and that’s why my plan will deliver universal child care for families all across New York,” said Hochul. “As part of my plan to support every county statewide, this new pilot program will help counties develop and expand new models for providing child care for families, regardless of their income status.”

Broome County plans to open its largest childcare center

Broome County will receive $20 million for its pilot program, with the county contributing an additional 10% in funding. The pilot programs will support up to 1,000 seats for children aged 0-3 in each county, with the first group coming online in 2027, Hochul said. Broome County will use funding from the pilot program to open the county’s largest childcare center this fall.

Broome County Executive Jason Garner described Hochul’s initiative as the “kind of leadership working families need right now.”

“By including Broome County in this new upstate pilot, the Governor is helping make life more affordable for parents who just want to go to work, provide for their families, and know their kids are safe and cared for,” Garner stated.

“Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, Broome County will also be opening the largest childcare center in our county this fall, expanding access for hundreds of local families. This investment will help even more working families across Broome County get the affordable, high-quality childcare they need to thrive.”

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo also shared her reaction to the expansion of childcare in Broome County. In a statement, Lupardo applauded Hochul’s effort to create statewide access to childcare.

“We know how challenging the cost of child care is to most families, impacting their economic security and future plans. I am thrilled that Broome County was chosen to host one of the state’s child care pilot programs and that planning is underway to achieve universal Pre-K for 4-year-olds by 2028,” Lupardo said.

Snapshot of childcare access in Broome County

In 2025, Broome County had 9,700 children under the age of 5, according to the data collected by The Children’s Agenda organization.

The Children’s Agenda is an organization based in Rochester advocating for health, education and success of children through policies, research and activism.

The ratio for the number of children under the age of 5 versus the number of childcare spaces was 3.8 to 1.

Broome County’s population size in 2025 was 198,591, and the percentage of households where all adults are in the workforce was 67%. Families are spending roughly $14,244 annually on day care services in Broome County.

Original story here: https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2026/01/14/broome-county-selected-for-20m-new-york-state-childcare-pilot-program/88180643007/