Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the historic expansion of free, high-quality Pre-K in more than 400 school districts across New York State – more than half of all public school districts statewide. As the school year kicks off this week, thousands of new Pre-K seats are now online. The Governor’s multi-year expansion will bring tens of thousands of new Pre-K seats online across the state over the coming years, as part of her commitment to lower costs for families and to put New York on the path to universal Pre-K.
“I’ll never stop fighting to lower costs for families — and our historic investment has already delivered thousands more free Pre-K seats statewide, with tens of thousands more in the coming years,” Governor Hochul said. “As New York’s first mom Governor, putting us on the path to statewide universal Pre-K was personal for me — and I’m ensuring that we will deliver on that promise.”
Governor Hochul kicked off this historic expansion by cutting the ribbon on a brand new Pre-K Center – the Silas Wood Pre-K Center in South Huntington, Long Island. Starting this school year, the South Huntington School District can now guarantee a Pre-K seat to every eligible four-year old in the district whose family wants one – eliminating the district’s previous lottery and waitlist system. On Long Island alone, 84 school districts are adding new Pre-K seats this year – with more than 400 districts statewide adding new seats.
In this year’s Budget, the Governor secured a $563 million annual increase in funding for the 2026-27 school year toward universal Pre-K, as part of a broader investment of $1.7 billion in FY 2027 toward childcare programs. The State will ensure Pre-K is truly universal for 4-year-olds statewide by the start of the 2028-29 school year. Under the Governor’s leadership, total annual funding available for UPK programs has increased by over 70 percent since 2021.
Governor Hochul's historic expansion is delivering new Pre-K seats throughout all corners of New York State. Below is a regional breakdown highlighting the number of public school districts adding new seats in each region:
| Region | Number of School Districts Projected To Add Pre-K Seats |
|---|---|
| Capital Region | 45 Districts |
| Central New York | 28 Districts |
| Finger Lakes | 42 Districts |
| Long Island | 84 Districts |
| Mid-Hudson | 53 Districts |
| Mohawk Valley | 29 Districts |
| New York City | 1 District* |
| North Country | 27 Districts |
| Southern Tier | 35 Districts |
| Western New York | 58 Districts |
| Total | 402 Districts |
*NYC Public Schools reports as one district and has an existing universal Pre-K program.
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “High-quality prekindergarten instruction gives children a strong foundation for success in school and beyond, while helping ensure that every child, regardless of zip code or family income, has access to meaningful early learning opportunities. This historic expansion will help more young learners build the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive, while providing critical support to families across New York. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality Pre-K and look forward to working together toward truly universal access for children across the state.”
Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “I am proud to join with Governor Hochul, South Huntington School District Superintendent Vito D’Elia and the Board of Education to cut the ribbon on the brand-new state of the art Silas Wood Pre-K Center. Expansion of universal pre-K funding will enable every family in the district to take advantage of the outstanding resources, facilities and programs Silas Wood will offer. Additionally, this funding will provide meaningful support for working parents, offering a safe and supportive environment for all of our precious children. As we begin a new school year, filled with promise and opportunity, our youngest students will start their educational journey in the best possible way.”
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin said, “Families in my district are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for this historic investment in our children. I began my career in early childhood decades ago, and I know the extraordinary power of these earliest years. When we invest in children at the very moment their brains are developing most rapidly, we are not just expanding Pre-K — we are changing the trajectory of a generation and the future of New York.”
South Huntington School District Board of Education President Nicholas R. Ciappetta said, “The new Pre-K center is a transformative moment for our educational community that could not have been possible without the leadership and vision of Governor Hochul.”
South Huntington School District Superintendent Vito M. D’Elia said, “We are extremely grateful for Governor Hochul’s strong commitment in providing Pre-K to all students in the South Huntington community and beyond. Our students will benefit tremendously throughout their educational experience thanks to these investments in their early academic years.”
New Yorkers United for Child Care Executive Director Rebecca Bailin said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul's investments, parents across New York State can finally access what New York City families have had for over a decade: free, quality care for 4-year-olds. For families from Long Island to the Hudson Valley to Buffalo, saving $20,000 a year could mean the difference between staying here and leaving. We look forward to continuing this work with the Governor to deliver universal child care and keep families in New York.”
Silas Wood Pre-K Center Parent Giovanna Bucino said, "We are incredibly fortunate to have this beautiful new Pre-K center in our community. This building is more than just walls and classrooms. It represents a commitment to our children. It says that our youngest learners matter. That their education matters. That our families matter. And as a parent, having access to free high-quality pre-K makes such a difference. Child care and early education can be such a huge expense for families, and knowing that our children can come here, learn, grow and be cared for without that added financial burden takes a real weight off our shoulders. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment to expanding opportunities for our youngest learners and for supporting programs that make life a little easier for families like ours."