As New York City prepares to announce its fiscal year 2026 budget, concerns are rising among parents of young children due to significant cuts to the city’s 3-K childcare program. The budget, revealed by Mayor Eric Adams on January 16th, includes a reduction of $112 million for the 3-K free childcare program, which supports 3-year-olds. This cut means that a program that previously supported 38,000 children will no longer have sufficient funds to do so. In contrast, $100 million has been allocated to the Summer Rising program, which provides free summer learning support for students in grades K to 8.
The 3-K program, which currently offers 52,000 seats, serves around 48,000 children. Many parents rely on this program to send their young children to daycare while they work, and the budget cuts could increase the financial burden on families by forcing them to turn to private childcare, which can be significantly more expensive. Mayor Adams faced heavy criticism last year when his budget included a $170 million cut to the 3-K program, and this latest reduction has further intensified concerns among parents.
Councilmember Justin Brennan (D-Brooklyn), chair of the New York City Council Finance Committee, expressed shock over the cuts, particularly given the ongoing challenges of high childcare costs. He emphasized that childcare support is critical for retaining working families and dual-income households in New York City and called for the cuts to be reconsidered. The group New Yorkers United for Child Care also expressed disappointment, stating that Mayor Adams has failed to prioritize the preservation and expansion of the 3-K program, which they consider essential for the city’s future.
Beyond restoring funding, advocates argue that the 3-K program also needs urgent improvements in accessibility. One parent from Queens shared their frustration, explaining that every nearby 3-K centre they contacted had a waiting list. With no available spots at any of the 12 centres they considered, this family is now faced with the prospect of paying $25,000 to $40,000 a year for private daycare, a financial burden they had not anticipated.