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How to Apply for Child Care and Early Childhood Education Services


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Apply for Child Care Vouchers

Apply for Child Care Vouchers

Age Eligibility

Six weeks to 13 years old, and up to 19 years old for children with disabilities.

Immigration Status Requirements: The child needing child care must have a "qualified" status: U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, certain type of parole status, and other statuses. During the application process, the parent will be asked to submit documentation verifying satisfactory immigration status.

Eligibility Requirements

A family may qualify for a voucher if 1) the family's income falls below specific income criteria and 2) have one of the following reasons for seeking child care (in a two-parent household, both parents will each need a reason for care):

  • Works 10 or more hours per week
  • Participates in an educational or vocational training provider
  • Is looking for work
  • Lives in temporary housing. This includes families who may be living in shelter or sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
  • Attends services for domestic violence
  • Receiving substance abuse treatment

The applicant will be asked for documents to verify eligibility. Vouchers can be used at a provider of the family’s choice.

How to Apply

Families should apply through MyCity. Staff can help the parent complete the application online or the parent can complete the application on their own. The parent will need to create a MyCity account to apply. 

If determined eligible, the family will be mailed or emailed a voucher to bring to the child care provider of their choice; the provider and family must complete and send the voucher back to Administration for Children's Services (ACS) to complete enrollment.

For more information about vouchers and the different types of child care settings to use a voucher visit nyc.gov/childcarevouchers.

To locate a licensed child care center visit nyc.gov and search “Child Care Connect.” To find a registered home-based child care program in New York City, use this Child Care Search tool.

Apply for NYC Public Schools Early Childhood Education Programs

Infant and Toddler Extended Day and Year

Age Eligibility

Between six weeks and 3 years old (who are not yet age-eligible for 3K) - care is available in centers and family child care (home-based) settings. 

Immigration Status Requirements: The child needing child care must have a "qualified" status: U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, certain type of parole status, and other statuses. During the application process, the parent will be asked to submit documentation verifying satisfactory immigration status.

Eligibility Requirements

A family may qualify for an Infant/Toddler Extended Day and Year seat if 1) the family's income falls below specific income criteria and 2) have one of the following reasons for seeking child care (in a two-parent household, both parents will each need a reason for care):

  • Works 10 or more hours per week
  • Participates in an educational or vocational training provider
  • Is looking for work
  • Lives in temporary housing. This includes families who may be living in shelter or sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
  • Attends services for domestic violence
  • Receiving substance abuse treatment

The applicant will be asked for documents to verify eligibility.

How to Apply

Families should apply through MyCity. Staff working with a family can help the parent complete the application online or the parent can complete the application on their own. The parent can also contact the child care provider directly and receive help applying through MyCity. The parent will need to create a MyCity account to apply. 

When applying, a parent can either include the provider of their choosing if they know it or leave that section blank.

  • To find a list of Infant and Toddler providers visit nyc - select 3-K then "More Filters" and choose "EarlyLearn - Infant" or "EarlyLearn -Toddler." The parent can then select a provider to include on the MyCity application.
  • If leaving blank, NYCPS will contact the parent for help finding a provider after submitting the application in MyCity.

If found eligible, the family will be notified through e-mail and mail. The parent should take the notice to the provider to complete the enrollment. 

3-K and Pre-K Extended Day and Year

Age Eligibility

  • Families can apply to 3-K in the calendar year that the child turns three years old — care is available in centers and family child care (home-based) settings.
  • Families can apply to Pre-K in the calendar year that the child turns four years old — care is available in centers only.
Immigration Status Requirements: The child needing child care must have a "qualified" status: U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, certain type of parole status, and other statuses. During the application process, the parent will be asked to submit documentation verifying satisfactory immigration status.

Eligibility Requirements

A family may qualify for a 3-K and Pre-K (pre-kindergarten) Extended Day and Year if 1) the family's income falls below specific income criteria and 2) have one of the following reasons for seeking child care (in a two-parent household, both parents will each need a reason for care):

  • Works 10 or more hours per week
  • Participates in an educational or vocational training provider
  • Is looking for work
  • Lives in temporary housing. This includes families who may be living in shelter on sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
  • Attends services for domestic violence
  • Receiving substance abuse treatment

The applicant will be asked for documents to verify eligibility.

How to Apply

Families should apply through MyCity. Staff working with a family can help the parent complete the application online or the parent can complete the application on their own. The parent can also contact a child care provider directly and receive help applying through MyCity. The parent will need to create a MyCity account to apply. 

When applying, a parent can either include the provider of their choosing if they know it or leave that section blank.

  • To find a list of 3-K and Pre-K Extended Day and Year providers visit nyc to browse the NYC schools directory. The parent can then select a provider to include on the MyCity application.
  • If leaving blank, NYCPS will contact the parent for help finding a provider after submitting the application in MyCity.

If found eligible, the family will be notified through e-mail and mail. The parent should take the notice to the provider to complete the enrollment.

3-K and Pre-K School Day and Year

Age Eligibility

  • Families can apply to 3-K in the calendar year that the child turns three years old – care is available in centers, family child care (home-based), and school-based settings.
  • Families can apply to Pre-K in the calendar year that the child turns four years old – care is available in centers and school-based settings.
Immigration Status Requirements: None. Immigration status does not matter.

Eligibility Requirements

There are no additional eligibility requirements. Services are provided at no-cost during the school-day; typically, 8am-3pm.

For more information visit NYCPS 3-K and Pre-K (pre-kindergarten).

How to Apply

Go to MySchools.nyc to browse the NYC schools directory to find a provider.

If the family is seeking immediate care, contact the provider directly; if the family is interested in a provider for the fall, add the child to the waitlist in MySchools.

Apply for Early Head Start and Head Start

Age Eligibility

Services are available to children ages birth to five years old in centers and homes.

  • Early Head Start serves birth to two years. Some Early Head Start providers provide services for pregnant parents.
  • Head Start serves children ages three to five years old.

Some Early Head Start and Head Start providers are affiliated with NYC Public Schools  and these providers only serve children ages 2-5 years old in centers only.

Immigration Status Requirements: None. Eligible families with children are welcome to enroll in Head Start and Early Head Start regardless of immigration status.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Family income is at your below the federal poverty line or
  • The child in foster care or
  • The child is living in temporary shelter or
  • The family is receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI, or SNAP)

Services are provided at no-cost. The provider will ask for one or more documents to verify eligibility.

How to Apply

Find all of New York City’s Early Head Start or Head Start providers by visiting the

Office of Head Start website and contact a provider directly to apply.

In addition, for Early Head Start and Head Start providers affiliated with NYCPS, families can visit MySchools.nyc to browse the NYC schools directory and search by Pre-K or 3-K to find Head Start providers serving 3-5 year olds; for Early Head Start providers serving 2-3 year olds, select 3-K then "More Filters" and choose "Early Head Start." Contact the provider directly to apply.

If the family is interested in a NYCPS Early Head Start or Head Start provider for the fall, add the child to the waitlist in MySchools.

Cash Assistance

If you are currently receiving Cash Assistance (CA) Benefits, then you can connect your ACCESS HRA Account to your CA case and request assistance with Child Care online. If you would like to apply for Cash Assistance and child care visit ACCESS HRA.