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Families
New York City offers many free or low-cost child care and educational programs for families that qualify. These programs provide care and education for children from birth to thirteen years old (or up to 19 years old for children with disabilities), all year round. Eligibility is based on your family's income and reason for care. If you qualify and there is a seat available, your child can begin any time.
Child Care Vouchers
Child care vouchers help cover the cost of child care at hundreds of home based and center based providers across the city. Vouchers may also be used to pay approved relatives, neighbors, or friends for care. These programs serve children 6 weeks to 13 years old (or to 19 years old for children with disabilities) and are available all year, up to 24 hours a day. Use the navigation links on this page to learn more about how to apply for child care vouchers and find child care providers.
Due to insufficient funding, the City is currently unable to offer child care vouchers to families that are not on cash assistance. While you may submit an application for child care assistance, please be aware that, if you meet income and programmatic eligibility criteria, your child(ren) will be placed on a waitlist for a voucher.
If you currently have a child care voucher, your child care assistance will continue uninterrupted through your eligibility period.
Most families will also be able to continue receiving child care assistance if they successfully recertify. All families that meet one of the below criteria will be able to maintain their child care assistance if they recertify on time and remain eligible.
- Families that are homeless
- Families with a child with special needs
- Families with income below 300% State Income Standard (SIS)
| Family Size | 300% SIS Monthly | 300% SIS Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $5,288 | $63,450 |
| 3 | $6,663 | $79,950 |
| 4 | $8,038 | $96,450 |
| 5 | $9,413 | $112,950 |
| 6 | $10,788 | $129,450 |
| 7 | $12,163 | $145,950 |
If a family does not meet one of these criteria, they may still submit their recertification application and, if eligible, their child(ren) will be placed on a waitlist.
Please make sure to submit recertification materials by the deadline provided in your annual recertification packet.
If you think you may be eligible for cash assistance, find out more about applying.
Infant/Toddler, 3-K, and Pre-K
New York City Public Schools (NYCPS, formerly Department of Education - DOE) offers free or low-cost programs for children from birth through age five, available across all five boroughs and designed to support learning, development, and family. Eligibility varies by program.
Learn more and explore options on the NYCPS enrollment page. Families can also explore available NYCPS options at MySchools.
Need support enrolling in a program? Reach out to a NYCPS Family Welcome Center – find the one closest to you at this site.
Comprehensive After School System of New York City (COMPASS)
The Comprehensive After School System of NYC (COMPASS NYC) comprises more than 900 programs serving young people enrolled in grades K-12. Through its network of providers, COMPASS NYC offers high quality programs with a strong balance of academics, recreation, enrichment and cultural activities to support and strengthen the overall development of young people.