New York Ranked Second-Worst for Child Care Costs and Overregulation

Report finds New York's strict child care rules drive up costs, calls for reducing regulatory burdens instead of taxpayer-funded subsidies.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A new report from the Archbridge Institute, a right-leaning think tank, has ranked New York state's child care industry as the second-worst in the U.S. for its costly and stringent regulations. The report argues that New York should focus on reducing bureaucratic red tape and regulatory burdens on child care providers rather than pursuing taxpayer-funded subsidies favored by Democratic leaders.

Why it matters

The high costs and overregulation of child care in New York have made it increasingly difficult for families to access affordable, quality care. This issue has become a major political battleground, with Democratic leaders proposing taxpayer-funded expansions of child care coverage while conservative groups argue that deregulation is the solution.

The details

The Archbridge Institute's 'child care freedom' analysis rated states based on factors like child-to-staff ratios, maximum group sizes, staff training requirements, and educational credentials for directors and teachers. New York ranked poorly, with an 8-to-1 ratio for 4-year-olds and 9-to-1 for 5-year-olds, compared to more lenient ratios in other states like Florida. The report argues these strict regulations drive up costs without improving quality or safety.

  • The Archbridge Institute released its 2026 child care policy index on February 8, 2026.

The players

Archbridge Institute

A right-leaning think tank that published the 'child care freedom' analysis critical of New York's child care regulations.

Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York who has proposed a $4.5 billion plan to expand universal child care in the state, which the Archbridge Institute opposes.

Zohran Mamdani

The Democratic mayor of New York City who has pledged to provide free child care for all kids starting at 6 weeks old, funded by tax hikes on the rich and corporations.

Michael Benedetto

A Bronx Assemblyman and chair of the education committee, who argues that regulations are important to ensure child safety and education.

Edward Timmons

The vice president of policy at the Archbridge Institute, who says New York should focus on deregulation rather than taxpayer-funded child care subsidies.

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What they’re saying

“Rather than pursuing costly taxpayer-funded subsidies and state-sponsored programs, we recommend reducing regulatory burdens on childcare providers that ultimately harm parents by increasing barriers to entry and raising the cost of childcare.”

— Edward Timmons, Vice President of Policy, Archbridge Institute

“Instead of fiscally reckless proposals to provide free child care, Gov. Hochul should work with legislators to loosen overly restrictive regulations in New York to increase choice and improve competition.”

— Edward Timmons, Vice President of Policy, Archbridge Institute

“It's a smart thing to look at regulations. But we want our children to be safe and we want to educate them.”

— Michael Benedetto, Bronx Assemblyman and Chair of the Education Committee

What’s next

The Archbridge Institute's report is likely to fuel further debate over the best approach to improving access and affordability of child care in New York. Lawmakers will likely continue to weigh the merits of deregulation versus increased public investment in the sector.

The takeaway

This report highlights the ongoing tension between those who argue that reducing regulations is the key to lowering child care costs, and those who believe that strong rules and standards are necessary to ensure the safety and quality of care for young children. The future of New York's child care system will depend on how policymakers navigate this complex issue.