District 22 Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages joined parents, educators, childcare providers and state lawmakers at Harbor Child Care in Mineola to call for expanded access to universal pre-K and increased state investment in early childhood education on Long Island.
The group highlighted ongoing issues, including childcare deserts, affordability challenges and a shortage of available seats.
The event was hosted by Solages Jan. 23, alongside local childcare providers and advocacy organizations, including Harbor Child Care, the Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center and the Child Care Council of Nassau.
Participants acknowledged Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent executive budget proposal, which includes a minimum investment of $10,000 per student in UPK. While this funding represents a significant step, the coalition noted that in higher-cost regions such as Long Island, the funding covers only basic program expenses.
“We need to ensure that the conversation around childcare is just not limited to New York City, that we’re talking about all the state in a statewide plan,” Solages said. “In high-cost areas like Long Island, Hudson Valley, that money is spread thin — $10,000 just meets the basics. And we’re not here to just give basic education to our young, four-year-olds. We’re here to give quality education and quality programs.”
Solages is advocating for a package of policy changes to improve access to early childhood education and childcare across Long Island and New York State. These proposals include expanding UPK capacity to ensure every family seeking a seat can secure one, increasing per-pupil funding rates to better cover the costs of high-quality programs, strengthening the Child Care Assistance Program to support working families with childcare and aftercare expenses, investing in the childcare workforce and allocating $1 million to expand LRTAC. The expanded center would assist school districts and community providers in opening new classrooms and sustaining existing programs, especially in childcare deserts where demand greatly exceeds supply.
“Early childhood education and care is the most critical thing we need for everyone in the future of this country,” parent Stephanie Washington said. “These things are not just learning numbers and colors and painting. They are learning compromise and communication and working with others and teamwork.”
The coalition also called for accelerating the timeline for UPK access, advocating for availability well before the state’s current target of 2028 to address the immediate needs of families and children across Long Island.
