SOUTHERN TIER, NY – Today, Senator Webb and elected officials announced that the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County has received over $2 million in childcare funding. This funding was made available through the Childcare Capital Construction Funding Program, which provides funding for the design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, and equipment needs of licensed child care centers. 

The Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program (4CFP) is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s ongoing effort to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care across New York. The program is overseen by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), helping communities create modern, safe and accessible spaces where children can learn and families can thrive.

“Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential for children, families and New York's economy,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments will help communities across the state create and improve childcare facilities, giving more families access to the care they need while supporting working parents and strengthening local economies.”

Said Christie Thornton, CEO YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County/Cortland Family YMCA, “We are deeply grateful to Senator Lea Webb for championing this $2.1 million investment in child care and early learning. This grant will help the YMCA create a new Early Learning Center and Universal Pre-K space that gives more children access to safe, high-quality care while supporting working families and our local workforce. Early learning builds the foundation for school readiness, confidence, and lifelong success, and we are proud to partner in bringing this important project to life for our community.”

Said Senator Lea Webb, “Childcare access is a major challenge for many families and critical in addressing the affordability crisis our families are experiencing. Having local, quality, and trustworthy options for working families to rely on will boost our local economy and strengthen community relations. The YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County provides essential services and offers fun programming for children that is educational, social, and safe. This is about community development, economic growth, and giving every child the strongest possible start in life.”

Said Assemblymember Anna Kelles, “Access to affordable, high-quality child care is fundamental to healthy families, thriving communities, and a strong economy. No parent should have to choose between participating in the workforce and ensuring their child receives the care and early learning opportunities they need during the most important years of development. For too long, Tompkins County has faced a shortage of licensed child care, making it difficult for working families to find the care they need. This investment in the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County will expand child care capacity for local families while strengthening our entire community. Congratulations to the YMCA on this well-deserved investment in our community!”

DASNY President & CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Governor Hochul understands that expanding access to child care begins with investing in the places where children learn, grow and thrive. Through this program, New York State is helping communities build modern, safe and welcoming facilities that make high-quality child care more accessible for working families. DASNY is proud to partner with the Office of Children and Family Services to deliver these investments and help projects like the YMCA’s new Early Learning Center move from vision to reality.”

Said Tompkins County Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black, “Families in Tompkins County have struggled for years to find safe, dependable, and affordable childcare. For Tompkins County to be strong economically, we must support working parents and families. The YMCA has been a pillar in our community and I’m thrilled to see the investment Senator Webb and others have made in expanding their childcare programs.” 

Said Ronny Hardaway, Mayor, Village of Lansing, “On behalf of the Village of Lansing, I extend our sincere congratulations to the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County on receiving this transformative $2 million New York State childcare grant. This investment will expand access to much-needed childcare for local working families, strengthen our local workforce, and enhance the quality of life for countless children and parents. We applaud the YMCA’s continued commitment to serving our community and thank New York State for recognizing the importance of this vital resource and the essential need for working-family childcare.” 

Said Robert Cantelmo, Mayor, City of Ithaca, “I extend my sincere gratitude to the YMCA team for prioritizing increased access to childcare in our community, and to New York State for investing in programs that expand capacity for providers. Childcare investments like this one not only support working families and early childhood development; but they also have ripple effects that expand to the entire region. I am so grateful to my friend Senator Webb for her steadfast commitment to families in Ithaca and Tompkins County.” 

Said Tompkins County Legislator Deborah Dawson, “On behalf of working parents in Tompkins County, I want to thank Senator Webb for her support of the Y's much needed childcare programs. Childcare is a basic need that has become increasingly difficult for our working families to find and pay for. This $2 million funding will certainly help to make affordable childcare more accessible to Tompkins County residents. Thank you, Senator Webb!” 

The YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County has played a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of Tompkins County since its founding in 1868. The YMCA provides fitness programming and essential childcare opportunities for residents in the area. Families can choose between Before School, After School, or Full Day options depending on which best fits their needs. Their programming provides supplemental education, opportunities for socialization and physical activity, and supports children and families across Tompkins County. 

The YMCA plans to use the funding to add 25 square feet to their floor plan, creating 3-6 new classrooms. They will add a bathroom for their afterschool program, re-roof their After School Childcare room, install a new HVAC system in the gym, add a new gym floor, and add a new playground. 

4CFP is a state-funded program that increases the availability of quality care and expands the capacity of childcare providers. Awards were provided to 37 shovel-ready capital projects statewide, helping communities increase the availability of licensed childcare while providing modern, safe and accessible spaces for children and families. 

The Governor’s press release can be read here.

Photos from the event can be found here. 

Video of the event can be found here. 

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