What is Subsidized Child Care?
The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) funds free or low cost child care for eligible families living in New York City. Child care is available for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years, while children with special needs may be able to receive care through age 18.
Child care is provided by ACS-funded:
Am I Eligible for Subsidized Child Care?
You may be eligible for free or low cost child care based on your family’s income and your reason for requiring child care.
Family Annual Income Guide Lines (Effective May 1, 2009)
| Family Size |
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
Income Must Be Less Than
|
$40,068
|
$46,692
|
$49,032
|
$58,032
|
$66,444
|
Acceptable Reasons for Requiring Child Care:
What Types of Subsidized Child Care Are Available?
ACS-Funded Programs
What Are ACS-Funded Programs?
ACS directly funds child care programs which provides services to eligible families.
There are more than 300 child care centers, and family child care networks as well as over 250 Head Start programs funded by ACS. ACS helps these programs, commonly referred to as contract programs, to provide:
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A safe, healthy environment in a setting that is licensed or registered.
-
Exciting learning experiences.
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Healthy meals and snacks.
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Trained, experienced staff members.
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A chance for parents to be involved in their children’s care.
ACS-funded child care centers are licensed and all family child care network providers are registered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to make sure they meet State and City standards.
What Types of ACS Funded Child Care Are Available?
Group Child Care Centers: Certified teachers care for your child in a licensed child care center. Group centers can provide care for children ages 6 weeks up to kindergarten age. Centers are generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Family Child Care Networks: Child care is provided in registered family child care homes and licensed group family child care homes. Family child care is available for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. Children with documented special needs may be eligible to receive child care through age 18. Regular hours of care are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for preschool children and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for school-age children, though some family child care providers open early, stay open late or have weekend hours.
- Family Child Care Homes: A provider cares for up to 6 children depending on the age of the children in the provider’s home. The provider is registered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
- Group Family Child Care Homes: A provider cares for up to 6 children depending on the age of the children in the provider’s home. The provider is registered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Other Child Care Options:
Head Start: A free early educational program for children age 3 to 4 years old living in very low income families. Head Start includes family social services and emphasizes parental involvement. For more information on Head Start programs, call 311.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK): A free educational program available through the Department of Education for all eligible 4-year-olds. Programs are offered as either half day or full day in local elementary schools and community-based sites. For more information about Pre-K programs, call 311.
Out of School Time (OST): After school programs available at no cost to all school-age children, from elementary to high school. Programs offer academics, arts and music or sports. For contact information of after school programs in your area, call 311.
What Are ACS-Funded Programs?
Families interested in subsidized child care should apply by contacting ACS- funded programs in your area to discuss availability, program requirements and the needs of your child. You are encouraged to visit the programs in order to choose the best care available. To receive contact information on ACS-funded child care programs or family child care networks in your area call 311.
Once you have chosen a specific ACS-funded child care program, you will need to apply and submit the required documentation to that program.
Some non-ACS-funded child care centers and group family child care homes may or may not be licensed and family child care providers may or may not be registered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
What is a Voucher?
A child care voucher permits families eligible for subsidized child care to access child care services outside of the ACS-funded program. Funding for vouchers is extremely limited, and the wait for a voucher can be very long. If you would like to be placed on the voucher interest list, call 311.
You are strongly encouraged to consider one of the ACS-funded programs. These programs do not require vouchers and may have space available immediately. For contact information for ACS-funded programs, call 311.
How Can I Apply for Subsidized Child Care?
Families interested in subsidized child care should apply to be evaluated by ACS. Contact programs in your area to discuss availability, program requirements and the needs of your child. You are encouraged to visit the programs in order to choose the best care available. For contact information for ACS-funded child care programs or family child care networks in your area call 311. For information on programs not funded by ACS, call the NYC Child Care Resource and Referral Consortium at 888-469-5999.
Once you have chosen a specific ACS-funded child care program, you will need to apply and submit the required documentation to that program.
How Do I Know My Child Will Be Safe and Healthy?
Everyone has a part to play here – however, parents have the final say. ACS has a major
role, including:
- Performing regular checkups of all funded group child
care programs.
- Making regular visits to every family child care home
working with an ACS-funded program.
- Checking background references for staff in
ACS-funded programs, family child care providers and other family members
living in a registered family child care home; checking for records of abuse,
neglect or criminal behavior.
- Making sure that staff and family child care providers in ACS-funded programs have medical check-ups each year.
You can do even more. Choose licensed or registered child care centers or family child care providers. Be alert to what your child is saying about what goes on. Be sure to visit often, making sure that:
- The grown-ups care about the children and treat them
with respect.
- The children are learning and growing, and involved
in interesting activities.
- You are happy with the approach and methods being used.
About the NYC Administration for Children’s Services
The New York City Administration for Children’s Services’ mission is to ensure the safety and foster the healthy and positive development of children. ACS has long recognized that early childhood education programs play a critical role in supporting young children’s development and evidence has shown that high quality early learning programs can lead to later success. The ACS Division of Child Care and Head Start (DCCHS) is dedicated to ensuring that New York City’s low income young children have positive early experiences. ACS is committed to putting children and their developmental needs first in early childhood services and to supporting children within the real contexts and needs of their families and communities.
