There are many issues facing child care providers, and signing legislation that directly benefits providers is a step in the right direction.

Two important child care bills have already passed both the Assembly and Senate. They now await Governor Hochul's signature. That's all, her one final signature. 

Bill #1: Ratio change & lower infant age classification
The Child Care Capacity Expansion Bill passed in both the Assembly and Senate, and is sponsored by Assemblymember Sarah Clark and Senator Samra Brouk: 

• Lowers the age of an “infant” to 18 months: this allows one caregiver for every two children under 18 months of age in group family day cares and family day cares.
• Brings equality to requirements for home-based childcare educators and childcare centers.
• Click here to read more about the Child Care Capacity Expansion Bill
• Click here to read the press release from the NYS Legislature regarding the issues & timeline of the bills 

Bill #2: Extending license renewals to six years

• Initial and following registrations will be valid for up to six years as long as educators stay in compliance.
• Click here to read about the current legislation on licensing time frames

These bills represent a significant step forward in improving childcare access and quality. By changing the infant to educator ratio, we can increase the number of children we care for without compromising safety. The age classification standardization removes confusing discrepancies in age group criteria, allowing families to transition smoothly through their childcare stages. Moreover, the extended license renewals mean educators like myself can focus on what matters most—nurturing and educating children—without the constant stress of frequent renewal processes.

Signing these bills into law will ensure that childcare providers across the region can expand and enhance their services, directly benefiting working families who rely on affordable childcare. Additionally, this will support educators by providing them with stability and the ability to devote more time and resources to fostering a supportive learning environment.

With increasing numbers of families needing both parents to work, it's more crucial than ever to have efficient, accessible childcare solutions. Therefore, we urge you to sign this petition and make the calls necessary to encourage the governor to sign these essential bills. Together, we can create a nurturing and accessible environment for all children and solidify a support system for hardworking families.

Please sign this petition to push for the final step in making these improvements a reality. By signing this petition, you are asking Governor Hochul to sign these two child care bills into law. Your signature means that you support these highly practical changes and believe these bills deserve to become law.