Staff Report / March 14, 2026
Several community colleges across New York are expanding child care services in an effort to help student parents balance family responsibilities while pursuing higher education.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that 11 community colleges within the State University of New York system will either extend child care hours or add new spaces for infants and toddlers. The initiative is designed to better align campus child care availability with the schedules of students enrolled in high-demand academic programs.
Among the colleges expanding evening child care hours are Finger Lakes Community College, Monroe Community College, Onondaga Community College, Dutchess Community College, and SUNY Broome Community College. At Finger Lakes Community College, evening care will be extended until 9 p.m. two nights per week to better accommodate students attending later classes.
Other campuses, including Tompkins Cortland Community College, Jamestown Community College, Nassau Community College, SUNY Niagara Community College, Rockland Community College, and SUNY Westchester Community College, will increase the number of available child care spots for infants and toddlers.
State officials say the changes are part of the SUNY Reconnect initiative, which offers free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adults ages 25 to 55 who do not already hold a college degree and want to earn an associate degree in high-demand fields. Expanding child care options is intended to remove one of the most common barriers faced by student parents returning to school.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said improving access to safe and affordable child care will allow student parents to focus on their studies and complete their education.
The expansion builds on broader statewide efforts to improve child care availability. In recent years, New York has invested millions of dollars to increase capacity and address “child care deserts” across SUNY campuses.
State leaders say the latest changes aim to make it easier for adult learners and working parents to pursue degrees that can lead to higher-paying careers and long-term economic mobility.
