Dutchess County Selected for $20 Million Universal Child Care Pilot Program

January 14, 2026 - Just six days after the Dutchess County Early Learning Coalition called on Governor Kathy Hochul to select Dutchess County as a pilot community for universal child care, the Governor announced that Dutchess County has been chosen as one of three upstate counties to receive funding for a groundbreaking community care pilot program. Dutchess County will receive $20 million in state funding, with an additional $2 million local match, to create affordable, year-round, full-day care for children ages 0-3, regardless of family income.

The historic announcement took place at DAY ONE Early Learning Center in the City of Poughkeepsie, where Governor Hochul joined local leaders, elected officials, and young students to unveil the pilot program. The Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet congratulates its partner DAY ONE on hosting this momentous announcement and celebrates the center's visionary work since its founding in 2019 to provide both affordable childcare for families and career pathways for community members through their Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces a pilot program for day care at Day One Early Learning Community in the City of Poughkeepsie on January 14, 2026. The pilot program plans to expand day care for children under the age of 5 in Broome, Dutchess and Monroe Counties. (photo/caption credit: Patrick Oehler, Poughkeepsie Journal)

The pilot program, set to begin in 2027, will provide 1,000 seats for Dutchess County children from newborns to 3-year-olds and represents part of Governor Hochul's broader $4.5 billion investment to deliver statewide universal childcare. Dutchess County was selected alongside Monroe and Broome counties to receive a combined $60 million for this innovative approach to expanding access to high-quality early care and education.

This selection represents the culmination of years of coordinated effort by Dutchess County leadership and the Early Learning Coalition. The Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet recognizes the critical work of Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the Department of Community and Family Services, the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board, the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, DAY ONE Early Learning Center, and all coalition members whose dedication and preparation positioned Dutchess County to seize this transformative opportunity.

State Senator Rob Rolison, who originally co-chaired the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet during his tenure as City of Poughkeepsie mayor, emphasized the importance of this coordinated approach. "Eighty percent of a child's time is spent outside of the school building," Rolison stated at the announcement, underscoring why the combined effort of organizations across the county is "so important for the future of our community."

The pilot program builds on existing county-led efforts to support childcare and family welfare, including DAY ONE's partnerships with the Poughkeepsie City School District, Dutchess Community College, and Ampact NY Programs. Governor Hochul noted that the pilot programs will not be "one size fits all," as each community has unique needs, and indicated that requests for proposals will likely be issued to identify specific criteria and program structures the funding will support.

With legislative approval expected and the Governor's stated goal to have the program operational in 2027, Dutchess County stands ready to demonstrate how universal childcare can strengthen families, support workforce participation, and create lasting economic benefits for the entire region. For more details on the announcement, read the full Poughkeepsie Journal article.