Empire State Campaign for Child Care

NY is poised to make universal child care a reality for families. We can’t get there without paying the child care workforce a thriving wage. We need @GovKathyHochul, @AndreaSCousins, @NYSA_Majority to fund workforce compensation for early childhood educators.

Universal child care means we must care for children ages birth through 12, includes all modalities of care, AND pays the workforce a thriving wage. @GovKathyHochul @NYSA_Majority @AndreaSCousins, affordability starts with child care for all!

Thank you to @sarahhartclark for highlighting the struggles of families across NY to afford child care and the necessity of compensating the child care workforce. Together, we can deliver universal child care for all families in the state. spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-re…

Diana, an ESCCC Steering Committee member and mom of two, has a great letter in Queens Chronicle about the importance of compensating the child care workforce! qchron.com/opinion/letter…

ESCCC parent leader and steering committee member Mansie recently spoke with NPR about the struggle to access child care for her infant. We're not giving up until parents across the state can access the child care they need. npr.org/2026/03/10/nx-…

Today we are celebrating the New York women who make up our campaign, the parents who rely on child care, and the child care workforce. In order to achieve universal child care, we MUST pay the workforce a thriving wage. #InternationalWomensDay

Families need affordable care all year long, including summers. That's why we advocate for a universal system that covers children through age 12, year round. nytimes.com/2026/03/01/nyr…

Erie County is one of more than 30 counties struggling with funding for the Child Care Assistance Program. The Governor and Legislature must deliver for the tens of thousands of families across NY in need. spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/ne…

ESCCC campaign lead @AQE_NY shared this powerful video of early childhood educator Sheila. Sheila and the families she serves deserve a child care system that meets their needs. youtu.be/jlYVxaX5z8Q

We cannot achieve universal child care in New York State without investing in the child care workforce. Period.

Thank you, @SenatorBrisport for your support for not only children and families, but for the child care educators who care for them! instagram.com/reel/DU6NkXQjo…

ESCCC leaders had a great time at Caucus Weekend presenting our vision for achieving universal child care with @SenatorBrisport. Grateful to our partners at @AQE_NY, @childrensagenda, @ECEONTHEMOVE, @wnyccat and @DCCNYINC for their contributions!

Child care is a crucial issue for families across the country. Excited to see @RepAOC and @SenWarren advocating for the child care we deserve! 19thnews.org/2026/02/aoc-wa…

Thank you to the @timesunion editorial board for uplifting the struggles that families and early childhood educators are facing, and the need for state government to address this crisis. timesunion.com/opinion/articl…

We're excited to partner with @SenatorBrisport at @BPHACaucus Weekend for our panel New York State Child Care For All: The Plan To Achieve It! Join us in Albany this Saturday!

Check out our latest podcast episode "The Child Care For All Plan" about ESCCC's road map to achieve universal child care with campaign leaders Pete and Shelby! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/epi…

"Without investing in early childhood education teachers, expanded child care access will strain an already-fragile system...Teachers are the heart and soul of child care...Yet our current system fails to value them accordingly." timesunion.com/opinion/articl…

Thousands of children and families are on the waiting list for child care assistance. ESCCC campaign leaders Pete, Danielle, and Lauren spoke to @Gothamist about this urgent issue that needs the city and state's attention. gothamist.com/news/universal…

ESCCC campaign leaders Zakiyah and Gladys are hosting a call tomorrow! Register here: bit.ly/1feb2026

A few days ago, I joined the Empire State Child Care Campaign (@empirestateccc) alongside Michael Benedetto (@benedetto4ny) to hear directly from families and educators about the challenges they face every day. They emphasized the urgent need to invest in child care and to support the teacher aides who make early learning possible—helping our children thrive and ensuring working families get the support they deserve.