The Rye YMCA is getting a $1.5 million state grant to upgrade its child care facilities, bringing new investment to a community where families rely heavily on private providers because the Rye City School District does not offer universal prekindergarten.

The funding comes through New York's Child Care Capital Construction Program, which supports projects that expand licensed child care capacity. The Rye YMCA was one of just two Westchester organizations selected and one of 37 recipients statewide.

Competition was steep: More than 197 organizations applied for the grants, requesting more than $417 million. The state awarded $106.5 million.

Why it matters

For many Rye families, the YMCA fills a critical need.

The Rye City School District is one of just 48 eligible districts statewide that has opted out of New York's universal pre-K program. District officials have cited limited classroom space and state funding that falls short of covering the full cost of the program.

That leaves organizations like the Rye YMCA to provide much of the area's early childhood care, including full-day preschool, after-school programs, school break camps and financial assistance for families.

What's next?

The state grant can be used to design, renovate or expand licensed child care facilities and purchase equipment.

The Rye YMCA has not yet announced how it plans to use the $1.5 million or whether the project will create additional child care slots.

Under the grant program, environmental and regulatory approvals must be completed by June 2027, and construction must wrap up by Dec. 31, 2029.

The investment is part of New York's broader effort to expand child care and preschool access statewide, with Gov. Kathy Hochul's latest budget increasing annual child care and pre-K funding to $4.5 billion.