West NY News

Assemblyman Manktelow (R,C-Lyons) and his fellow Minority colleagues in the Assembly came together to discuss the urgent matter of child care in New York. Emphasizing the importance of improving access to child care while reducing costs for working parents, the Assembly Minority Conference unveiled a comprehensive child care enhancement plan designed to combat child poverty rates and enhance the availability of quality child care across the state.

The plan presented by the Assembly Minority Conference involves various strategies, including increasing tax incentives for both child care providers and families, expanding tax credits, and creating new funding sources for child care facilities. Moreover, the proposal seeks to expand early childhood education programs and introduce more flexible child care options to ensure greater accessibility.

Assemblyman Manktelow highlighted the significance of enhancing state reimbursements for Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) programs, simplifying the hiring process for qualified UPK teachers, and ensuring consistency in regulations among school districts and child care agencies. The plan also stresses the importance of collaboration between school districts and child care agencies to enhance the quality and accessibility of UPK programs.

In addition, the proposal explores innovative child care models, such as evening and weekend services, and suggests implementing a regional cost factor for child care subsidies to account for varying living expenses across the state.

"Ensuring access to quality child care is not just a matter of policy, it’s a commitment to the well-being and future success of our children. Together, we can work towards this goal by investing in their care and education today," stated Assemblyman Manktelow.

The efforts put forth by Assemblyman Manktelow and the Assembly Minority Conference underscore a shared dedication to improving child care services in New York and prioritizing the well-being and development of the state's children.