Education (Early Childhood)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 591: Requires kindergarten instruction for Rockland and Westchester counties for minors who are five years of age on or before December first

This bill requires public school districts in Rockland and Westchester counties to provide kindergarten instruction to children who turn five years old on or before December 1st. It does not apply to children whose parents choose to delay enrollment until September, nor to students in private schools or receiving home instruction. The law would take effect on July 1st following its enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates kindergarten instruction for eligible students in specified counties, expanding access to early education without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 883: Appropriates monies for funding day care services to children of persons 24 and under to enable such persons to continue education; appropriation

Provides funds for day care services for the children of persons 24 and under to enable such persons to continue secondary and post-secondary education; provides criteria to be governed by standards established for economically and educationally disadvantaged students under special opportunity programs for state and city universities; appropriates $5,600,000 to the office of children and family services therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $5.6M for day care services enabling education, directly funding a public service under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds childcare for students under 24 to enable continued education, directly removing barriers and expanding access through $5.6M appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8225: Requires school districts and other facilities providing universal prekindergarten programs utilize all allotted funds for universal prekindergarten programs

Requires school districts and other facilities providing universal prekindergarten programs utilize all allotted funds for universal prekindergarten programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates full use of funds for universal pre-K, preventing diversion and ensuring program funding aligns with educational access goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 6550: Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project

Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes nature-based early learning child care program, expanding educational access and enhancing curriculum for preschoolers through licensed outdoor classrooms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8395: Authorizes a weighted selection process for the allocation of certain prekindergarten seats

Authorizes a weighted selection process prioritizing children who would be eligible to receive free or reduced price lunch and/or who are emergent multilingual learners for the allocation of certain prekindergarten seats in school districts where there are more eligible children than can be served in a given school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes disadvantaged students (free/reduced lunch, emergent multilingual learners) for pre-K access, expanding educational equity and access to underserved populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4037: Relates to the compulsory age for full time instruction from six to five years of age and certain exceptions for minor children

This bill lowers the compulsory school age from six to five years old for full-time instruction in New York State. It requires children who turn five on or before December 1st to start school in September of that year, while those turning five after December 1st can begin the following September. Parents may choose to delay kindergarten enrollment until the next September, and the bill maintains exceptions for high school completers and full-time workers. The change affects all school districts and parents of five-year-old children.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers compulsory school age to five, expanding early education access for K-12 students by requiring earlier enrollment for most five-year-olds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 27, 2026

A 323: Relates to the compulsory age for full time instruction from six to five years of age and certain exceptions for minor children

Bill A 323 lowers the compulsory school attendance age for full-time instruction from six years old to five years old. This means children must begin attending school when they turn five, rather than six. However, the bill also includes a provision allowing parents to elect not to enroll their five-year-old child in school until the following September.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill lowers compulsory school age from 6 to 5, expanding early education access while allowing parental opt-out for delayed enrollment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6678: Incorporates art and music into prekindergarten programs

This bill (S 6678) allows school districts, charter schools, and cooperative educational services to optionally incorporate music and art into prekindergarten programs. It does not require schools to add these subjects, but permits them to do so if they choose. The law would take effect 90 days after enactment, with no specific funding or implementation details provided. The bill is currently referred to the Education committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill permits optional incorporation of art/music into pre-K curriculum, enhancing early education programs without restrictions or funding mandates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 1495: Relates to school aid for transportation of children attending a universal pre-kindergarten program; repealer

This bill allows school districts to provide additional bus transportation for students in universal pre-K programs beyond what's already funded. Districts may offer this extra transportation equally to all pre-K children in similar circumstances within their boundaries, with the district covering the costs. Crucially, this transportation will not count toward state funding calculations for those students, meaning districts bear the full expense without receiving state aid for it. The policy applies starting with the 2027-2028 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables expanded transportation access for universal pre-K students, directly enhancing educational access without state funding obligations for districts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education School Transportation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7674: Permits special education services and programs for preschool children with handicapping conditions to establish reserve funds

This bill allows special education programs serving preschool children with disabilities to create reserve funds from excess revenue. Institutions may retain up to 1% of their annual allowable costs each year (capped at 4% total), with funds carried forward to future years for approved uses like covering prior debts or authorized costs. Programs must report annually on reserve balances and usage to the education department. The policy applies specifically to preschool special education services under New York's education law, effective for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows preschool special education programs to retain excess revenue as reserves (up to 4% total), enhancing financial stability for services targeting children with disabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Special Education

Track