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Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education

Monday, March 2, 2026 · 10:00 AM AM · Council Chambers - City Hall

TL;DR

The city is moving forward with an ambitious plan to expand access to child care, including converting vacant commercial spaces into child care facilities and establishing a new city office to oversee free child care for all residents. The subcommittee introduced multiple new laws aimed at streamlining the child care permitting process, improving enrollment in 3-K and pre-K programs, and increasing transparency on available seats and staffing gaps.

Key Decisions

  • Pilot program to convert vacant commercial spaces into child care facilities Introduced
  • Study to expedite the child care permitting process Introduced
  • Establish a new Office of Child Care to oversee free child care for all city residents Introduced
  • Launch education campaign to increase enrollment in 3-K and pre-K programs Introduced
  • Call on state to allow Paid Family Leave transfer to grandparents and caregivers Resolution introduced
Agenda PDF

Agenda

  1. T2026-1179 Oversight - The Path to Universal Child Care.
    Oversight
  2. Int 0008-2026 A Local Law in relation to establishing a pilot program to make vacant commercial premises suitable for use by child care programs
    Introduction
  3. Int 0009-2026 A Local Law in relation to a study and report on expediting the child care permitting process
    Introduction
  4. Int 0128-2026 A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to childcare services at public meetings
    Introduction
  5. Int 0579-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an education and outreach campaign to enroll students in 3-K and pre-K
    Introduction
  6. Int 0580-2026 A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an office of child care to oversee free child care for all city residents
    Introduction
  7. Int 0631-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of education to report on early childhood education seat availability, outreach, and staff vacancies
    Introduction
  8. Res 0165-2026 Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation to amend the Worker’s Compensation Law, in relation to allowing unused Paid Family Leave to be transferred to grandparents and other designated caregivers
    Resolution
  9. T2026-1388 Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.4924/A.1303, to remove the minimum wage and hours requirements for applicants of child care assistance
    Resolution