Become a New Child Care Provider or Program

Child care and early childhood providers play a vital role in a child’s development. New York City is proud to have a diverse and high-quality provider workforce. You will find information about becoming a new provider and supports available for existing providers here.  

Interested in operating a new child care center or home-based program in NYC? Visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to learn more about the permitting process.

Applying for a new NYC Health Department child care center permit? Visit MyCity Provider Permitting Portal to submit an application. The portal consolidates application requirements, simplifies communication with the Health Department and provides real-time updates on application status. 

New York City has four organizations dedicated to providing information and support to prospective child care providers. Visit NYC Child Care Resource and Referral Consortium to get started.

You can also visit the New York State Office of Children and Families to learn more about starting your own child care program.