New York, NY (January 8, 2026) – Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, co-executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, issued the following statement in response to Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani’s announcement of a plan to implement universal child care in New York.
“This proposal is an enormous and welcome first step toward building a truly universal, affordable child care system. A major expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program will provide crucial relief not only to families, but also to providers who are struggling to keep their doors open. Together, with the statewide expansion of pre-K, this plan marks significant progress toward a system that must ultimately meet the needs of families with children from birth to 13, while also reflecting what unapologetic advocacy can achieve.
To fully realize the promise of universal child care, the next essential piece must be sustained investment in the child care workforce. Providers and educators are the backbone of this system. Fair wages, benefits and professional support must be non-negotiable. We are heartened by the strong partnership between the governor and the mayor on this issue and are confident that with our lawmakers, they will continue working with advocates to secure the investments needed to make universal child care a lasting reality for New York families.”
