NYC Charter Schools Demand Equal Pre-K, 3-K Funding in Universal Childcare Push

Advocates argue charter schools must be included in Hochul and Mamdani's $4.5 billion early education expansion.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:58pm

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New York's charter school educators are urging Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani to provide them with equal access and funding to offer pre-K and 3-K classes as part of the state's $4.5 billion plan to expand universal childcare and early education programs. Charter school advocates argue that excluding them from the funding would be discriminatory against the 1-in-6 public school students they serve, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged families and are children of color.

Why it matters

The push for universal childcare and early education is a major policy priority for Hochul and Mamdani, but charter school advocates say the plan will fall short if it does not equitably include their institutions, which educate a significant portion of the city's public school students and have proven track records of academic success.

The details

Charter school advocates sent a letter to Hochul and Mamdani this week warning that the $4.5 billion expansion would not be truly 'universal' if charter schools' pre-K programs continue to receive $20,000 less per child than traditional public schools. They coupled the letter with a rally at City Hall calling for equal funding, carrying signs declaring 'Don't discriminate against charter kids' and 'Treat my child equally.' Advocates noted that charter schools account for 50% of the top performing public schools in the city and have pass rates nearly double the city average, arguing they should be a key part of the expansion to provide an 'incredible start' to young students' educational lives.

  • The $4.5 billion plan to expand pre-K, 3-K, and universal childcare for 2-year-olds awaits final approval in the upcoming state budget.
  • Charter school advocates sent their letter to Hochul and Mamdani this week.
  • The rally at City Hall took place on Friday.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who has teamed up with Mayor Mamdani on the $4.5 billion early education and childcare expansion plan.

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City who has been seen as hostile towards charter schools, but is now partnering with Governor Hochul on the universal childcare push.

Eva Moskowitz

The founder and CEO of Success Academies, the largest network of charter schools in New York City.

Solange Lopez

A parent of a student at Zeta charter school who spoke at the rally, arguing that charter schools provide opportunities that would not otherwise be available to many families.

Jenna Lyle

The Deputy Press Secretary for Education and Child Care at New York City Hall, who stated the city's focus on providing access to universal childcare programs for all New Yorkers.

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What they’re saying

“Imagine if they educated one-in-six 3- and 4-year olds. What an incredible start to their educational lives they would have. And as was mentioned, in order to do that, the $20,000 gap has to be eliminated.”

— Eva Moskowitz, Founder and CEO of Success Academies (New York Post)

“Childcare is simply not affordable for many families with only one paycheck. So, for families like mine, a school like Zeta can make a real difference.”

— Solange Lopez, Zeta charter school parent (New York Post)

What’s next

The Governor and Mayor will negotiate with the state legislature in the coming weeks to finalize the budget and details of the universal childcare and early education expansion.

The takeaway

This dispute over funding for charter schools' pre-K and 3-K programs highlights the broader tensions and competing priorities around the push for universal childcare and early education in New York City. Resolving these funding inequities will be crucial to ensuring the expansion truly benefits all of the city's public school students, regardless of what type of school they attend.