As New York moves toward universal prekindergarten for 4-year-olds, the debate over what comes next is increasingly turning to 3K and how the state can eventually provide free child care for every 3-year-old. The final state budget that Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers approved earlier this year included a plan…

NEW YORK — New York City lawmakers and advocates are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to boost funding for child care vouchers to shrink a rapidly growing waitlist of thousands of families — or risk undermining efforts to expand access to child care. Hochul’s executive budget proposal earlier this year…

Voters across New York — both Democrats and Republicans — want the state to invest more in affordable child care, a new poll found. It’s the latest sign of growing political pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to push for the popular but expensive program ahead of a tough reelection race…

Early intervention service providers are suing the state Department of Health for “woefully inadequate” reimbursement rates that they claim violate state law. Agencies for Children’s Therapy Services, an advocacy group that represents providers, and two of its member agencies filed the lawsuit Tuesday in federal court, requesting the state increase…